ML40656901

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

Excellent studies for about twenty minutes. Bird first found by Shai when it was facing us head-on. At that time, to CLW, appeared oddly intermediate between COTE and FOTE very white underparts but relatively short legs (within range of all COTE there in direct comparison) and a fairly bright reddish bill (much more extensive than CLW had ever seen in spring in US). Bird certainly looked different, but extent of red bill was surprising to CLW. Bird still appeared to be entirely in alternate plumage (at least head was, with entirely black crown and no sign of any white feathers coming into crown). Once we had a profile view, ID was much easier (for CLW--easy for Shai and Pat the entire time!) . Entire upperparts noticeably paler than Common Tern. Wings with black limited to outer two primaries (in field difficult to tell if it was outer 2 or 3, but photos show 2). The white inner edges to the primaries were very prominent and greatly added to the appearance that the bird was extensively white. The legs were very bright red (almost the color of a spring male Scarlet Tanager) and lacked the somewhat darker dusky tones that COTE showed. Bill similar bright red in color, with distal 1/3 blending to black. In flight pale coloration very noticeable. Stiff and quick wingbeats appeared most similar to Least Tern, quite different from COTE and particularly FOTE.

Technical information

Model

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

Lens

EF500mm f/4L IS USM +1.4x

ISO

400

Focal length

700 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire

f-stop

f/5.6

Shutter speed

1/2500 sec

Dimensions

1369 pixels x 913 pixels

Original file size

681.62 KB