Re: Dania Beach Terns

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Posted by John Boyd on 06:37:31 05/26/04

In Reply to: Dania Beach Terns posted by Bryant Roberts

The field marks you describe fit Common Tern, not Arctic.

In particular, the outer web of the outer tail feathers is gray, not dark, on Arctic. There should not be a white cheek patch, only a narrow white strip between cap and cheek. The bill would not be described as "orange-red". Finally, the bill is small enough that you would not be hedging about its size.

All of those field marks (and the size of the bird) point to Common. That leaves one field mark that suggests Arctic...the lack of a dark primary wedge. However, in the spring, summer plumage Common Terns typically lack this wedge. It only appears later in the summer due to feather wear.

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Re: Dania Beach Terns - Bryant Roberts 21:14:52 05/26/04 (0)

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Comments:	: The field marks you describe fit Common Tern, not Arctic. : : In particular, the outer web of the outer tail feathers is gray, not dark, on Arctic. There should not be a white cheek patch, only a narrow white strip between cap and cheek. The bill would not be described as "orange-red". Finally, the bill is small enough that you would not be hedging about its size. : : All of those field marks (and the size of the bird) point to Common. That leaves one field mark that suggests Arctic...the lack of a dark primary wedge. However, in the spring, summer plumage Common Terns typically lack this wedge. It only appears later in the summer due to feather wear.
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