Miss Marge Posted December 31, 2020 Share Posted December 31, 2020 Just double checking that this is a Common Tern? Taken in Pelee Point National Park, Ontario, Canada in May. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seanbirds Posted December 31, 2020 Share Posted December 31, 2020 This almost reminds me of a Roseate Tern. Probably a Common, though. Roseate would be quite rare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
millipede Posted December 31, 2020 Share Posted December 31, 2020 I can't tell if the color is accurate in the pic... how about a Forster's tern? I went and compared on All About BIrds and I'd definitely lean away from Roseate... The tip of the bill and the dark trailing edge on the wings possibly point to forster's... But, I'm not expert(or even good) on terns. Foster's and common would be the most common there though. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seanbirds Posted December 31, 2020 Share Posted December 31, 2020 Just now, millipede said: I can't tell if the color is accurate in the pic... how about a Forster's tern? I went and compared on All About BIrds and I'd definitely lean away from Roseate... The tip of the bill and the dark trailing edge on the wings possibly point to forster's... But, I'm not expert(or even good) on terns. Foster's and common would be the most common there though. I know. That crazy thought just shot through my head and I had to voice it. Stranger things have happened. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelLong Posted December 31, 2020 Share Posted December 31, 2020 I think this is Common as Foster's Tern would have a more sharp red-black border 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DLecy Posted December 31, 2020 Share Posted December 31, 2020 Medium sized tern ID is rough, especially in breeding plumage, but this feels good for a Forster's Tern to me. Note the long tail, more stout bill with lots of black on it, the amount white in the gape is more(ish) than in Common, the bird is pretty white below (not gray), the underwing pattern is not COTE, and the webbing in the tail seems right for FOTE (dark inner webs versus dark outer webs on COTE). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Marge Posted January 2, 2021 Author Share Posted January 2, 2021 Thanks everyone for your thoughts. DLecy, your concise points are appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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