Elegant Terns at Flamingo?

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ TAS BirdBoard ] [ FAQ ]

Posted by John Boyd on 18:15:40 04/17/05

3 apparent Elegant Terns were on the sandbar at Flamingo around 10am this morning.

ID is based mainly on size (they were mixed in with Sandwich, Royal and Caspian), plus extent of dark feathering on back of head. Bill shape appeared consistent with Elegant, but the distance was an issue. They are "apparent" because of reported hybrids near Tampa, which I don't know how to rule out.

They were immature birds. I was thinking that they didn't look very big next to the Sandwich Terns when I noticed a nearby Caspian Tern that dwarfed them. It was over twice their size. A scan down the line of terns revealed a number of Royal Terns, which were obviously bigger. One had a markedly paler bill.

Other highlights at Flamingo included Shiny Cowbird, Orchard Oriole, Blue Grosbeak (5), Indigo Bunting (12), Bobolink, and Dickcissel. The Shiny Cowbirds were in the median near the old gas station. The others were in the adjacent weedy field (east of the marina parking lot). Orchard Orioles were also present at Eco Pond, where the Goldfinches are still wintering.

I got my FOY (and SOY) Eastern Kingbird at Paurotis Pond.

I returned early and stopped at Barnes. There I saw the Acadian Flycatcher and a Swainson's Warbler between the rehab and nature centers. Today's focus was on year birds, and I added 10 today.

Follow Ups:

Post a Followup

Name:
E-Mail:
Subject:
Comments:	: 3 apparent Elegant Terns were on the sandbar at Flamingo around 10am this morning. : : ID is based mainly on size (they were mixed in with Sandwich, Royal and Caspian), plus extent of dark feathering on back of head. Bill shape appeared consistent with Elegant, but the distance was an issue. They are "apparent" because of reported hybrids near Tampa, which I don't know how to rule out. : : They were immature birds. I was thinking that they didn't look very big next to the Sandwich Terns when I noticed a nearby Caspian Tern that dwarfed them. It was over twice their size. A scan down the line of terns revealed a number of Royal Terns, which were obviously bigger. One had a markedly paler bill. : : Other highlights at Flamingo included Shiny Cowbird, Orchard Oriole, Blue Grosbeak (5), Indigo Bunting (12), Bobolink, and Dickcissel. The Shiny Cowbirds were in the median near the old gas station. The others were in the adjacent weedy field (east of the marina parking lot). Orchard Orioles were also present at Eco Pond, where the Goldfinches are still wintering. : : I got my FOY (and SOY) Eastern Kingbird at Paurotis Pond. : : I returned early and stopped at Barnes. There I saw the Acadian Flycatcher and a Swainson's Warbler between the rehab and nature centers. Today's focus was on year birds, and I added 10 today.
Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ TAS BirdBoard ] [ FAQ ]