Which Tern?

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magpie
magpie's picture
Which Tern?

Little tern?
Fairy tern?
Crested tern?
None of the above?

taken on NSW central coast. I often see caspian terns here but can't make a certain ID on this one.

Araminta
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Hi magpie, I'll have a go at this? I think, little and fairy terns have more white on their forecrown, the black only starts behind the eye? I have looked at all my books,in the Simpson & Day, the head of your bird looks like a White-fronted tern,but the bill, that slightly droopes, looks like a Roseate tern...? The more I look, the more confused I get. The more they look different, the more they look the same (if that makes sense?).May be you have discovered a new breed? Hope someone is of more help....

M-L

birdie
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Just guessing too, but looking at location and description I would say crested tern. Someone experienced will confirm or deny I am sure .

Sunshine Coast Queensland

Windhover
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My gut feel without any reference material is definitely Crested Tern. :)

magpie
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Thanks all.
Araminta - Im using the Morcombe handbook. Roseate tern's range doesn't extend down this far according to that book, i think they also have a red (or black) rather than orange bill.

I think you're all right with the crested tern

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