Great Crested Tern - Peter Frost
Report

Contributor

Date

Location

North Mole, Whanganui R mouth, Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand (-39.948, 174.981)
Wanganui District, Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand
Media from this location Illustrated Checklist
Map
Map Coordinates: -39.9484192, 174.9806884
Age and sex
Immature Unknown sex - 1

Media notes

Bird sheltering from gale-force wind

Observation details

Longer in the body than nearby white-fronted terns (about 15 percent longer), but much bulkier. Most distinctive features were the large, relatively heavy, slightly downwards curved bill, blackish cap that did not go right down to base of bill (band of white feathers above the bill to lower forehead), with a distinct crest at the rear of the crown. Upperparts were grey, but slightly blotched brown, especially on primary and secondary wing covers. Primaries darker grey, giving the bird the appearance of becoming darker grey above from front to rear. Primaries also seemed to be much longer than the tail. Bird was hunkered down, with white-fronted terns, trying to shelter from gale force wind that was blowing at the time (up to 65 kph according to Met Service).

Additional species

Technical information

Model
DMC-FZ300
ISO
100
Focal length
108 mm
Flash
Flash did not fire, auto
f-stop
f/4.0
Shutter speed
1/400 sec
Dimensions
2049 pixels x 1366 pixels
Original file size
2.22 MB