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Subject: [Hong Kong] Tern ID at Sai Kung Harbour [Print This Page]

Author: parrotkeen Time: 14/05/2022 19:56 Subject: Tern ID at Sai Kung Harbour

I saw this guy flying around in Sai Kung Harbour. It circled for a while before it went to the deeper waters. It was smaller than the Whiskered and White-Winged Terns we saw in the same area, and it had a longer beak compared to the other two. I strongly suspect it is a Little Tern (Sternula Albifrons) but I may be proven wrong. Would anyone help me ID this tern, I'm not an excellent photographer.

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Author: orientalstork Time: 15/05/2022 22:56

maybe bn tern?

Author: John Holmes Time: 16/05/2022 07:08

From the overall shape and darkness in the outer primaries, I agree with the original poster that this is a Little Tern.

The dark bill and black nape are features of non-breeding plumage. Here’s a shot (taken 9th May 2022) which shows the shape from a similar angle, but this bird is in breeding plumage

[ Last edited by John Holmes at 16/05/2022 14:07 ]

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Author: parrotkeen Time: 7/06/2022 17:22

Thanks for answering! Little terns are one of my favorite terns in Hong Kong. It's a shame I couldn't take a good photo of it!

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