Outdoor Ontario

Photography => Ontario Birds => Topic started by: rcflier on May 15, 2012, 09:38:50 PM

Title: Caspian Terns @ Rattray Marsh
Post by: rcflier on May 15, 2012, 09:38:50 PM

I spotted these Terns at Ratray Marsh on May 10th.  More specific ident would be appreciated.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-y6IzMtvt8Zk/T7MD2NhCDRI/AAAAAAAAGMI/39mNvsvx8kI/s576/DSC_5492.JPG)

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-e_KZE6SGF2w/T7MD1Fp6YMI/AAAAAAAAGMA/A6K8lnYhl3E/s576/DSC_5486.JPG)

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-UhChJ8IKBg4/T7MD4w53t6I/AAAAAAAAGMg/osn_Zb8nYhA/s576/DSC_5519.JPG)

Title: Re: Terns @ Rattray Marsh
Post by: Trillian Flummox on May 15, 2012, 10:06:23 PM

Black legs and those giant orange bills would suggest Caspian Terns. (Common, Arctic and Forsters have orange legs)

-kris

Title: Re: Terns @ Rattray Marsh
Post by: Brian Bailey on May 16, 2012, 08:23:03 AM

Yes, definitely Caspian.  Note the massive bill and short, non-forked tail.  Also (not visible in photos) their flight style is more gull-like - not bouncy like a Common Tern.

BB

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Title: CaspianTerns @ Rattray Marsh
Post by: rcflier on May 16, 2012, 10:43:59 AM

These guys did exhibit a somewhat forked tail, as seen in a couple of other pics I got (below).  

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ZSYiGB9AbFU/T7O8c_aChHI/AAAAAAAAGM0/0H5qt3cJxuQ/s576/DSC_5487.JPG)

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-MmEHC1FU3VY/T7O8dYpQtBI/AAAAAAAAGM8/uG1EM0KLqlk/s576/DSC_5520.JPG)

Title: Re: Terns @ Rattray Marsh
Post by: Brian Bailey on May 16, 2012, 12:49:59 PM

True, a Caspian Tern has a slightly forked tail, but Common Terns have deeply forked tails - almost as much as a Barn Swallow.  In straight flight like this, it would appear deeply forked.  It looks much less forked when they fan their tail for turning, hovering, etc.  (The tail shape isn't always as obvious when they're perched.)

The two quickest ways to separate them in the field are by voice (I usually hear them before I see them), and flight style.

BB

Title: Re: Terns @ Rattray Marsh
Post by: rcflier on May 16, 2012, 01:14:37 PM

Brian - thanks for the clarificaton, very much appreciated.

Kris ( Trillian Flummox )  thanks also.