Outdoor Ontario

Request for Information => Bird ID => Topic started by: Shortsighted on July 28, 2024, 07:53:22 AM

Title: Tern ID
Post by: Shortsighted on July 28, 2024, 07:53:22 AM

I noticed that this tern had an incomplete skull cap, as if its cap slid back revealing a bright forehead and assumed that it is a juvenile tern.  Is this a juvenile Common tern, or a juvenile Caspian tern?

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Outdoor-Ontario/Outdoor-Ontario/i-dTWDLnB/0/M73h235NdV5MM2tZK6TWnCx5cN8sdfWZvrQJwzC8w/M/Juvenile%20Tern%20diving%2Ccrop-M.png) (https://steinphotography.smugmug.com/Outdoor-Ontario/Outdoor-Ontario/i-dTWDLnB/A)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Outdoor-Ontario/Outdoor-Ontario/i-fMRRkVd/0/NTFmwNgvHVNkmRxcw57d2cMGRr4wKFJ9GXpCkj6VF/M/Juvenile%20Tern%20in%20dive%2C2%2Ccropped-M.png) (https://steinphotography.smugmug.com/Outdoor-Ontario/Outdoor-Ontario/i-fMRRkVd/A)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Outdoor-Ontario/Outdoor-Ontario/i-fRhnFds/0/NWQ2qrj76VjLtGHk7xrtwVvdVbXPHxcFJF47sLxLp/M/Tern%20in%20water%2Ccrop-M.png) (https://steinphotography.smugmug.com/Outdoor-Ontario/Outdoor-Ontario/i-fRhnFds/A)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Outdoor-Ontario/Outdoor-Ontario/i-3mPJrBm/0/LrkXRfKKQ6r5Fmfg4Jntv7n86WxDTST9hGXTkwJd4/M/Tern%20above%20water%2Ccropped-M.png) (https://steinphotography.smugmug.com/Outdoor-Ontario/Outdoor-Ontario/i-3mPJrBm/A)

I'm guess it's a juvenile Common tern because the bill is not as intensely coloured and while not thin, it's not thick either.  Then again, juvenile Caspian terns might not have a crimson bill either.

Title: Re: Tern ID
Post by: Charline on July 28, 2024, 07:41:06 PM

Very cool shots, even though I have no clue.

Title: Re: Tern ID
Post by: Dr. John on July 29, 2024, 11:15:49 AM

I agree, the bill profile does not look like a Caspian.  Did you hear it call?  The Caspian call is very distinct from the Common.

Title: Re: Tern ID
Post by: Shortsighted on July 29, 2024, 01:02:30 PM

Thanks for the tip.  I don't remember if that tern was vocalizing.  I know that C. tern have a very raspy call, like something from Jurassic Park, which is a park that I don't believe Charline has yet visited, but give her time.  I shall look up the call of the Caspian tern and eliminate that tidbit of ignorance from my collection.