Terns in Bangkok yesterday (1 Viewer)

[Aladdin]

Dear Members and Bird Watchers!

Attached picture is of two terns and I have ID them as:
The tern in the back, Whiskered Tern
The tern in the front, Common Tern

The common tern, I would not be surprised to find out that it is a Whiskered Tern coming longer in the moulting to breeding plumage. But the belly is white and I would think the bird would come longer in the the black belly and grey throat if the head is almost black.

Any assistance will be very appreciated.

Kind Regards and Happy Birding
Aladdin

 

[THE_FERN]

I think these are structurally better for whiskered. The bill of the nearer one is fairly short, deep (would expect common to be finer, longer), and the wings of both are fairly short. Finally the legs are quite long which I think fits whiskered tern better.

 

[Aladdin]

I think these are structurally better for whiskered. The bill of the nearer one is fairly short, deep (would expect common to be finer, longer), and the wings of both are fairly short. Finally the legs are quite long which I think fits whiskered tern better.

Thank you very much THE_FERN!

I was confused with the black head as I would have thought that this time of the year coming in to breeding plumage the rest of the body would have progressed as well.

But then, of course, sunlight and reflections so the colour of the belly is not easy to determine. And we really don't get to see the throat.

Highly appreciated!

Kind Regards
Aladdin