Tern Species (1 Viewer)

[lostinjapan]

Both Arctic and Common Terns can show all dark bills here in Britain. We have a blackish billed Common breeding at Freiston for its second year, and very dark-billed Arctics can be relatively frequent. Agree with Common for this bird for all the reasons mentioned.

Hey Paul

Did any of the dark-billed Common's have dark legs out of interest?

 

[Frenchy]

Hey Paul

Did any of the dark-billed Common's have dark legs out of interest?

Hi Sean

No, they have normal coloured legs. The black on the bill tends to fade towards the base and give a vauguely Roseate-like pattern. It would be a brave man to claim a longipennis at Freiston...:eek!:

 

[the oilbird]

Another vote for common, the legs do look a little short, but all the rest of the features would point towards common rather than arctic. If this is a failed breeder from this year, the bill colour might be starting to darken already...