Lesser Crested Tern (Sterna bengalensis)

From my recent pelagic trip off the coast of Kuala Selangor, Peninsular Malaysia on 16 November 2013, i have the opportunity to observed and photographed the Lesser Crested Tern (Sterna bengalensis) which were reported to be frequently seen here but lesser in numbers as compared to the Greater Crested Terns (Sterna bergii). 

It was reported that there were three main subspecies for this tern:  i) S.b bengalensis (medium-dark grey above), ii) S.b torresii (dark grey above) and iii) S.b emigrata: (pale grey above). S.b bengalensis were reported to breed in abundance in the red sea and have been ringed in large flocks under the Mediterranean Seabirds Action Plan in Libya and Bahrain. Here are some of the photos of the Lesser Crested Tern seen at this coastline:

Adult winter birds were reported to spot all grey on its upper wings as depicted from the above two photos while the top most photo could possibly shown a juvenile or a 1st winter bird.

They (the Lesser Crested Terns) have occupied almost all the poles located in the sea.

While looking at their images back home, i have noticed a metal ring on its right tarsus. Location coordinates: 3°14'42.6"N 101°16'38.1"E

It was unfortunate that we were not able to read the info/inscriptions on the ring as our equipment was beyond the reach of a clear image at that point of time. Nevertheless the above bird could have been possibly ringed in Bahrain as explained by Professor Dr. Brendan Kavanagh:

"Hi Ronnie

Thanks for the photo and information re the Lesser-crested Tern with a ring. There is a very strong possibility that this bird was ringed in the Persian Gulf in the Bahrain waters. We have ringed chicks on an island at Al Jarrim for about 6 years and have had recoveries (of bridged and lesser-crested terns from the west coast of India, the east Coast of Sri Lanka and as far south as the Maldives. So I am not surprised that they might have made their way as far as Peninsular Malaysia. We ring our birds with a British Trust for Ornithology ring on the right leg so if you even got a few numbers of a piece of an address we might be able to confirm the ring source.

Thanks once again for this exciting report.

Regards

Brendan Kavanagh"

Its wing span is reported to be between 94-105cm and its flight is also quite similar to a Common Tern (S.longipennis). Its bill as you can see was also slightly drooped. 

This one here has a peculiar way of tugging its feet - instead of facing the back it has decided to place its feet in front.

Lesser Crested Terns were also reported to do "plunge diving" for fish.

They would certainly look better in their breeding colors.

HAPPY TERN WATCHING !

White-Winged Tern (Chlidonias Leucopterus)

It has been well written that the identification between Whiskered Terns (Ch. hybridus) and White-Winged Terns (Ch. Leucopterus) during winter/outside its breeding season has been a major headache to the recreational birders / lay people. In fact some articles to some extent has declared that the differences between the two terns species are almost inseparable in the field during winter. Numerous research/articles have thus been written seeking reliable markers/identification patterns/plumages of juvenile, first winter and adult winter birds but the conclusions have always been somewhat inconsistent. For example it was reported that Whiskered Terns have longer bill as compared to White-Winged terns but that was only true for males as females Whiskered Terns were reported to have similar shorter and stockier bill as White Winged Terns. Similarly White-Winged Terns are also reported to retain some black patches/feathers on its body side while molting from breeding to winter plumages. Then the body length of a Whiskered Tern was reportedly to be just about 2cm longer than a White-Winged Tern!

So then how does a lay-person able to differentiate or at least identify them in the field? There are two possible easy identification areas which you could use to identify between Whiskered terns and White-Winged Terns. The two field marks which you can look out for are i) its head patterns and ii) the feather colors near its body areas. The previous post has shown the photos of the Whiskered Terns so this time it will be the White-Winged Tern (Ch. Leucopterus).

In the head pattern of a White-Winged tern, the black patch behind it eyes should be round, the rounder the patch the more conclusive it would be. The black patch would then link to its black crown (with some white flecks in juvenile) forming like a pair of head phones. The second thing is that the body side of a Whiskered Tern has more black smudges than a White-Winged tern. Here are some of the possible photos of White-Winged Terns.

A flock of incoming White-Winged terns.

Here are more recent photos (Feb 2015) below:

Here are some of the photos of terns which i think could also possibly be a White-Winged Tern or is it really? Have a look and you can decide for yourself.

Note: Juvenile Whiskered Terns apparently also "wears" a headphone !

Whatever stuff which have been mentioned here only provided you with some basic pointers as reference. To be thorough there are other jizz which you can compare and observe - for example its wing colors, rump, tail, flight patterns etc. An expert once told me that to learn and obtain a better understanding of the jizz of these terns, one just need to go out to the field and study them thoroughly. 

HAVE FUN !

Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybridus)

This is a continuation from my earlier audacious attempt to show the photos of the four most commonly seen terns in Peninsular Malaysia. This time it will be "Whiskered Tern" (C.h hybridus). Said to be one of the largest marsh tern measuring approximately between 25 - 29 cm (10in - 12in). Also known as river terns in some books.

At a certain angle you may think that it could be a common tern. However the bill of a Whiskered Tern was reportedly to be a bit shorter and stubbier. 

It has a black patch and a scally/streaked cap at its hind crown as compared to a common tern. Looks like it also has shorter and broader wings. Its body length also looks a fraction less than a common tern.

The bird above had just undergone molting - probably into its first winter plumage. This is the only tern i think which has black smudges on its body. 

You can see that its tail is rather short and less forked as compared to the Common Terns.

Like all terns it would constantly look down to the waters for food. However it was reported that this tern does not do plunge diving but instead it would prefer to pick its food from the surface of the water.

Now you would know why this tern was also called a river tern. I have observed that there were other terns which would also "scout" for food along the river for example the white-winged and little terns. They however do not travel further up river as the whiskered terns. (more observations are required to confirm this statement).

Occasionally you do find them resting in the sea or on mudflats.

Dive bombing for fish?

You can see the slightly notched tail and a greyish rump.

Here are more recent photos - Feb 2015 below:

Check out its 'balding' head like pattern in the above photos. A common feature of a Whiskered Tern.

IUCN status: "least concern" and its population was reported to be "stable" as of now.

Enjoy Watching Your Terns!

Common Tern (Sterna longipennis)

This is an attempt (from a lay-person perspective) to show the photos of some of the more "commonly" found terns which can be seen in Peninsular Malaysia in their non-breeding or wintering colors. During such time, different hues of colors/patterns on their body, wings, head etc can be seen in contrast to their breeding or summer plumages. Just like waders these differences might make an interesting subject to some birders while to others it can be a burden especially to beginners and amateurs like myself. So, hopefully the photos depicted here can be used as a general reference or guide of some kind to those in need. The terns which will be featured are the "Common Tern", "Whiskered Tern", "White-Winged Tern" and "Little Tern". All the four terns are said to be common migrants/winter visitors to this region with just a handful of them establishing some small non-breeding colonies. 

I will start with the "Common Tern" (Sterna longipennis) here.

I love this photo as it shows the elegant movement of its wings which also described the flight of this tern.

From the above photos you can see that it has a long, thin and pointed bill which is slightly decurved. Its tail is white with black outer edges on its sixth (p6) rectrices. The longer p6 rectrices are said to provide more stability and control during flight. Its leg is reddish brown and its forehead is white. Body colors looks snowy white while its wings are long and pointed. Rump looks like pale grey/white while upper-part is greyish.

At times you may also come across this tern "floating" in the sea.

It will rest on anything which floats in the sea including sandals which can be seen from the above photo. You can also clearly see its dark carpal bars.

Sometimes they do also rest on other structures.

Looks at its red legs !

Common Terns are reported to dive for fish (plunge diving) unlike Whiskered and White-Winged Terns which pick up food from the surface of the water.

And their success rate i must say were very good.

They would swallow the entire fish in flight and it was certainly an amazing feat considering that they have done it while the fish was still wiggling in flight. I have also noticed that they do take a drink from the sea.  

You can also see how agile they are during flight as depicted by their many maneuvers and styles. 

At times they do approach you quite close.

Look at its sharp beaks

A close up photo

Look how well its legs were tug inside.

I really enjoyed photographing this tern which was also described as "Sea-Swallow" by some books. IUCN status "Least Concern" but their population was reported be in declined.

That's all folks !! Thank you for going thru "my" photos!