One good tern...
July 16th, 2010
While I was out on the river yesterday photographing sandpipers, a nearby pair of Common Terns was angrily harassing a gull. And they seemed none too happy about me, either--circling directly overhead, kee-arring loudly. So I took the hint, got a few good pictures and left.
Terns are largely oceanic birds, but this is one species that lives inland as well.
It wasn't until I looked at my photos back home that I realized why the pair was so defensive: they had a young un'! Standing on a little islet, apparently begging his parents for food. I didn't realize terns bred in that area.
As mentioned, terns are mostly oceanic. There are five different common breeders at Outer Banks, and five more that occur more or less rarely. The larger species can easily be mistaken for gulls. Look for a more elegant, streamlined appearance, long pointed wings, forked tail, and a longer bill that's often pointed down at the water.
Royal Tern
One of the largest terns, and very common at Outer Banks. They look particularly regal when perched, as their black head feathers stand up in a crest. None posed for me this year, though.
Least Tern
The other end of the scale--no bigger than your average songbird. They like to dive for fish and crustaceans in shallow water, sometimes even at the edge of the surf.
Sometimes I don't realize I have a lifer until I get home and study the photo. Look closely at this bird's bill. That little yellow tip was all I needed to know that I'd seen my first Sandwich Tern.
July 16th, 2010
While I was out on the river yesterday photographing sandpipers, a nearby pair of Common Terns was angrily harassing a gull. And they seemed none too happy about me, either--circling directly overhead, kee-arring loudly. So I took the hint, got a few good pictures and left.
Terns are largely oceanic birds, but this is one species that lives inland as well.
It wasn't until I looked at my photos back home that I realized why the pair was so defensive: they had a young un'! Standing on a little islet, apparently begging his parents for food. I didn't realize terns bred in that area.
As mentioned, terns are mostly oceanic. There are five different common breeders at Outer Banks, and five more that occur more or less rarely. The larger species can easily be mistaken for gulls. Look for a more elegant, streamlined appearance, long pointed wings, forked tail, and a longer bill that's often pointed down at the water.
Royal Tern
One of the largest terns, and very common at Outer Banks. They look particularly regal when perched, as their black head feathers stand up in a crest. None posed for me this year, though.
Least Tern
The other end of the scale--no bigger than your average songbird. They like to dive for fish and crustaceans in shallow water, sometimes even at the edge of the surf.
Sometimes I don't realize I have a lifer until I get home and study the photo. Look closely at this bird's bill. That little yellow tip was all I needed to know that I'd seen my first Sandwich Tern.
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