Highly cropped pics but could this be a Little Tern. Seen at Cairns Esplanande over the mud flats a couple of days ago.
Dark legs, long black bill, black nape, white crown, dark edge to wings, shallow fork to tail. Are these the correct markers to look for?
Sue
I'm pretty useless with shore birds but maybe immature Black-naped Tern?
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
I think Shorty's on the money. Not showing any black in front of the eye, but no expert.
Thanks guys, I'm not good with terns. The waders are enough of a challenge! I considered Black-naped, Little and Common but could not decide. Looking at a comparison of the three just found in Pizzey & Knight, I think that you are correct. Another new bird for me so this week has been quite productive!
Sue
Looks like a regular non-breeding Little Tern to me. Black-naped are much palr overall, longer tail, & less black on crown
Steve, you sound more definite and I did wonder at the length of tail. Are you confident with that ID? It is still a new one for me.
Sue
Reasonably confident Sue. We don't have Black-naped Terns around Ballina, I've only ever seen them a couple of times, but I do see Little Terns regularly, seen thousands, & your bird looks good for non-breeding Little Tern.
Final decision is Little Tern after checking a number of images of both. The distribution of the black around the nape and crown, the bit of speckling towards back of crown, colour on wings, length of tail and fork. A great exercise in demonstrating what to look for. Thanks everyone. Will have to take a better picture on a return visit.
Sue