Outdoor Ontario

Request for Information => Bird ID => Topic started by: Anonymous on April 25, 2007, 11:23:05 PM

Title: RFI-Tern
Post by: Anonymous on April 25, 2007, 11:23:05 PM

I am having some difficulty with this tern ID. I have gone with the common tern, but is there a noticable difference between the common and caspian tern that I cant see in my book?
Thanks:)
http://art-mcleod.fotopic.net/p40662222.html (http://art-mcleod.fotopic.net/p40662222.html)
I might as well double check the ID on this gull as well. I have it as a Boneparte's gull, fairly sure on this one but if I am wrong I would appreciate a correction:)
http://art-mcleod.fotopic.net/p40662225.html (http://art-mcleod.fotopic.net/p40662225.html)
Thanks again:)

Title:
Post by: worth on April 26, 2007, 06:36:02 AM

I think the tern is a Caspian. Overall it looks too big for a Common, this would be easier to tell in real life rather then in the pic. The bill looks much too big and has a dusky area at the tip, the primaries show no dark pattern to them and the tail looks too short.
The gull is a Bonaparte's.

Title: tern
Post by: Anonymous on April 26, 2007, 07:10:29 AM

Thanks for the info Dave, I appreciate your assistance:)

Title: Tern
Post by: Bruce Colvin on April 26, 2007, 10:59:57 AM

It is definately a Caspian Tern.  Red bill with dark tip - stocky body and dark shading on primaryies give it away. The picture doesn't show it, but the Caspian is Gull sized, slightly bigger than a Rind-billed Gull.  Another thing about this bird is the gawd awful call it makes Great photo. Bruce

Title:
Post by: Andrew Don on April 26, 2007, 11:00:01 AM

The bill on the tern is big and very reddish orange so would be a Caspian Tern, Common terns have a lighter orange bill, smaller too
btw nice photo :)

Title: Tern
Post by: Anonymous on April 26, 2007, 11:19:55 AM

Thanks alot for the info, I really appreciate it:):)