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Artic Tern? Roseate Tern?

  • 14-08-2010 9:53pm
    #1
    MB Lacey
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,277 ✭✭✭


    Again, posted some pics on my blog of Terns I saw in Dunlaoghaire today - I know the Sandwich Tern - but unsure of these - any help much appreciated.
    Is this an Artic Tern? All red bill?

    csc_0764.jpg?w=500&h=375


    Is this a Common Tern? Black top at end of Bill.

    csc_0767.jpg?w=500&h=375

    Is this a juv Common Tern?

    csc_0766.jpg?w=500&h=375

    Is this a Roseate Tern below- all black bill?

    csc_0773.jpg?w=500&h=375


    Again, many thanks :rolleyes:

    For full blog post click here


Comments

  • #2
    Feargal as Luimneach
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,139 ✭✭✭Feargal as Luimneach


    MB Lacey wrote: »
    Again, posted some pics on my blog of Terns I saw in Dunlaoghaire today - I know the Sandwich Tern - but unsure of these - any help much appreciated.
    Is this an Artic Tern? All red bill?

    csc_0764.jpg?w=500&h=375


    Is this a Common Tern? Black top at end of Bill.

    csc_0767.jpg?w=500&h=375

    Is this a juv Common Tern?

    csc_0766.jpg?w=500&h=375

    Is this a Roseate Tern below- all black bill?

    csc_0773.jpg?w=500&h=375


    Again, many thanks :rolleyes:

    For full blog post click here

    First one looks like artic tern, bill all red. Bird in very bright light so it's bleaching out darker gray of artic. Tail streamers look a bit short for artic though:confused: But overall looks like artic.

    Second one common tern

    Third juv common tern: dark secondary bar (IMO)best id point to separate from artic, no scaly pattern on upperparts eliminates roseate.

    Fourth sandwich tern, too "chunky" for roseate. also sandwich huge when compared to other three artic, roseate, common. Young sandwich has dark tip to bill (this could be one unless camera didn't pick up pale tip).

    Separating common/artic is difficult in flight, easier when there on ground (difference in leg length and tail streamer length and in good light grayer colour of artic). Separating Forster's tern from common is another story!!!!,


  • #3
    Feargal as Luimneach
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,139 ✭✭✭Feargal as Luimneach


    Just checked your blog, fourth looks like roseate, sorry. Size is the big thing to separate juv Roseate from juv Sandwich. Did the fourth bird look huge compared to the artic/common??


  • #4
    MB Lacey
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,277 ✭✭✭MB Lacey


    Feargal as Luimneach wrote: »
    Just checked your blog, fourth looks like roseate, sorry. Size is the big thing to separate juv Roseate from juv Sandwich. Did the fourth bird look huge compared to the artic/common??

    Feargal - your knowledge is amazing.
    Thanks for all the i'ds - I'm just 'learning' Terns from obvious things first (like the bill colouring) so I honestly didn't notice the size of the Roseate in comparison to the sandwich terns - more exposure to them will allow more familiarity and soon I'm sure I'll notice the different sizes, greys, whites etc - in fairness, the species are Very similar to a novice.
    Great birds to watch though.
    Thanks for your help.


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