Tern ID ????

[BillM]

Would this be a Royal Tern ?







And a bad Ibis shot, not a common bird around here so I'll take what i can get. This is a BIG crop lol




Thanks !!!

 

[nate_mcnasty]

Caspian Tern?

 

[BillM]

Thanks Nate, it looks like one or the other from the book I have, I thought Royal as the beak is rather long. It's a real interesting bird to watch feed. It hits the water FAST !!!!

 

[CourtSC]

Caspian Tern. A Royal Tern has spiky feathers on his head. Great photos!

 

[nate_mcnasty]

The caspian tern is a little more wide spread and the beak is a more brilliant red color from what I've read. I really like watching terns! I've only seen them migrating through but they're always huckin it over the lakes. I need to get better at my BIF shots haha

 

[BillM]

Thanks guys !!!

This is a great time of year, it is finally starting to warm up and all of these different species are showing up. I really want to get a good shot of the Ibis, two days ago they were close enough but I had to shoot right into the sun then today I went out real early to get the right sun and they were too far away. Oh well, tomorrow is another day :thumbup:

 

[coastalconn]

Bill, I think it is a common Tern. I have the hardest time figuring them out. I think Caspian's have black on the tip of their beak. Ibis's are my white Elephant. I always see them flying over in large groups, but I have almost 0 good pictures of them...

 

[BillM]

Hi Kris

In my Sibley guide it says the Common tern should have a dark tip to the bill, the Caspian a dusty tip and Royal red throughout. Going back to the full size raw file i'd have to agree with the Caspian. Unfortunately today will be yard work day so no chance to go back and try to verify with a better shot