Can these first three all be the same type of bird? And are they Black Tern?
Saw a bunch of similar birds yesterday (13 Sep 2012) flying along a canal of brackish water, plunging in for fish periodically. These were the best shots I was able to get with the storms rolling in.
Are the last two shots Forster's Tern? I saw this bird on the same day from the Hawk Watch Tower at Smith Point on Galveston Bay.
Yep, Black Terns; #1 and #3 are moulting adults, #2 is a juvenile.
And yep, Forster's tern for #4-5.
Resin
Sweeeet. I got one! I can't take credit for the presumptive ID on the Forster's though. An expert birder was out at the tower calling out birds. Sometimes I was uncertain if I was getting the right bird though.
Thanks so much , Resin. And thanks for the info that #2 was a juvi. He was with the other Black Terns, so I suspected it was the same type of bird even though it was somewhat different.
Patti
