Was at Hameem Beach today and am working on my tern identification skills... could anybody help me with these 3?
Many thanks,
Ted
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Was at Hameem Beach today and am working on my tern identification skills... could anybody help me with these 3?
Many thanks,
Ted
Perhaps 1st year white-cheeked tern? (the first two).
ok - good to know!
Could very well be a hybrid Eastern Common Tern longipennis, but they generally look darker grey below (check out the UAE Gallery) . A younger bird will have darker bills too.
Thanks Tommy- the links are really helpful. I guess the Common Terns must be the Eastern birds with the black bills... I think that's what really threw me
First two looks good for Common Tern
Third one is indeed a Saunders;'s Tern OR Little Tern. Unless in breeding plumage, they are virtually impossible to separate: https://www.uaebirding.com/little-tern-versus
OK- I went back this morning and am 95% that the third one is a Saunder's but any help on the first and second one would be appreciated