Terns and gulls near Cartagena, Colombia (2 Viewers)

[AndyS56]

Seen on my recent travels.
1. I suspect 4238 are Common Terns but the "crest" is causing me some doubt.
2. I wonder whether 4243 and 4249 are Forster's Terns?
3. I suspect 4252 are Black-headed Gulls
4. Same as 3 above?

I'm grateful for confirmation, clarification or corrections.

TIA

Andy

 

[dwatsonbirder]

You have Royal Tern, Sandwich/Cabot's Tern, Laughing Gull, Brown Pelican.

 

[AndyS56]

Thanks Daniel.

 

[CARERY]

The Royal Tern with the open bill has a white colour-ring. Do you have other pics where the code could be read? Might be interesting...

 

[AndyS56]

Hi,

Another photo attached but not that sure it helps, and it's quite heavily cropped.

Andy

 

[CARERY]

Hi,

Another photo attached but not that sure it helps, and it's quite heavily cropped.

Andy

No, the ringed bird is not on it...

 

[AndyS56]

Sorry- which photo number has the ringed one?

 

[CARERY]

It's the center bird in 4238, if you check the legs you'll notice the white 'ring' - it's actually more the shape of a tube...

 

[AndyS56]

Sorry, 4238 is as good as it gets. The second image, 4239 was taken only just over 1minute later, and the bird in question had gone.

 

[CARERY]

Without the code it is not worth to dig deeper. But still you might find this info interesting:
Royal Terns — Virginia Tech Shorebird Program

 

[AndyS56]

Thanks - that's really very interesting.

 

[njlarsen]

Photo 4260 seems to be a Bonapartes Gull?
Niels

 

[Butty]

Photo 4260 seems to be a Bonapartes Gull?

Primary-pattern, above and below, is substantially wrong for any age of Bonaparte's gull and right for adult laughing gull.