Sze

Is it a White-winged Tern? Thank you very much!

17/09/2009 Mai Po Access Road








And how about the left handside one? It has a forktail! So is it a White-winged Tern too?


[ Last edited by Sze at 17/09/2009 23:56 ]

ddavid

Sze -

Yes, this is a White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus. The head pattern - a more-or-less isolated black spot behind the eye - is strongly indicative of winter plumage leucopterus(although Whiskered Tern can very occasionally appear similar!)

The black mottling on the underwing coverts, which is clearly visible in the photographs, confirms that this is an adult leucopterus moulting from summer to winter plumage.

I suspect the bird in the 4th photo is the same bird.

david

Sze

Oh! David !Thank you for you reply and information!
Thank you so much!

Quote:

Original posted by ddavid at 19/09/2009 18:56
Sze -

Yes, this is a White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus. The head pattern - a more-or-less isolated black spot behind the eye - is strongly indicative of winter plumage leucopterus(although Whi ...