[ID] Tern

[Jason Green]

Hi,

Just a quickie, please


I photographed this tern yesterday (my first year of seeing them ) and am sure my ID is correct - Common Tern.


This one then appeared - the black cap doesn't reach the bill - is it another species or a juv.?

Thankyou.

Take care,

Jason

[nightshade]

Beak colouring is a clue I was talking to a real birder about some Terns I had seen and he said and I have the scrap of paper here;
Sandwich ,beak Black
Common, beak Red tip Black
Arctic, beak all Red
Roseate, beak Red/Black 50/50
Little, Orange tiny Black tip

Any use?

[John]

Looks like a Common Tern to me.

John

[Jason Green]

Yes, nightshade; that's great. Common then!

John, Thank you; common it'll be!

Thanks both

EDIT: I take it the second is a juvenile, then.

[Adam Cheeseman]

Originally Posted by Jason Green

EDIT: I take it the second is a juvenile, then.

Either that or an adult starting to moult into winter plumage.

Cheers,

Adam

[RobinP]

Beak colour is not a definite clincher between Common and Arctic Terns, you also have to consider the primary projection, on Arctic this reaches beyond the tail, and also leg length, shorter on Arctic. Sometimes the beak on Common appears all-red just to confuse matters, hence the term 'Commic Tern' when observers are not sure.

[stephen p]

Common Tern.

But then i call then Not-Common as iv only seen a few where i live

[Jason Green]

I agree with your point, I have seen several species of Pug moth - but am yet to see the Common