In the photo, <http://mobirds.org/Galleries/KMayo.htm>, from left to  
right:

(1) the bird in question: apparent aberrant Caspian Tern (extensively  
white forehead, orange bill w/ no obvious dusky tip);

(2) adult breeding Caspian Tern (full black cap, red-orange bill w/  
dusky tip);

(3) adult non-breeding Caspian Tern (partial black cap with white  
forehead, bright orange bill w/ dusky tip).

Interestingly, there was actually a fourth large tern present at Four  
Rivers during this period (not in this photo) -- a juvenile Caspian  
Tern... also with a fair amount of white in the forehead.

Bird #1 is most definitely the tern I observed on July 16-17 (when I  
viewed the birds from 1/4 to 1/2 mile away). On the ground, it seemed  
slightly smaller at certain angles, but overall had the same size and  
shape of the Caspian Terns. I did note that, in flight, the bird  
seemed to have a shorter wingspan and narrower wing than the Caspian  
Terns. However, it's impossible to reconcile that perception --  
observed at a great distance -- with this up-close photo (definitive  
physical evidence!), which shows a tern with "issues": not a perfect  
Caspian Tern, but clearly not a Royal Tern, either.

Kristi Mayo
Kearney, MO (Clay Co.)
[log in to unmask]

On Aug 3, 2005, at 10:50 AM, Robert Fisher wrote:

> Which bird is supposed to be the Royal Tern, the one on the left or  
> the one on the right?
>
> The one on the left clearly has the size and structure of the  
> Caspian Tern next to it, although its bill is more orange and its  
> head plumage reminds of a Royal Tern. The one on the right, whose  
> head is facing us, could be smaller than the other two and its bill  
> could also be thinner -- although neither feature is clear. (I did  
> see posts describing a slightly smaller sized tern).  I suppose it  
> could be a Royal Tern in the beginning stages of head molt, but I  
> would hate to call it from that picture alone.
>
>
> Bob Fisher
> Independence, Missouri
> [log in to unmask]
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Patrick Harrison"  
> <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Wednesday, August 03, 2005 8:26 AM
> Subject: Photo of aberrant tern discovered by K. Mayo
>
>
>
>> Photo can be seen here: http://mobirds.org/Galleries/KMayo.htm.
>>
>> Sorry for the delay...
>>
>> Spent 7 hours working to remove a virus from my computer!
>>
>> Good night!
>>
>> PH
>>
>>  _____
>>
>>
>> Patrick Harrison
>> Instructor, Computer Applications
>> Hannibal Public Schools
>> Hannibal, Missouri
>>
>>
>> [log in to unmask]
>> [log in to unmask]
>> http://www.patrickdharrison.com <http://www.patrickdharrison.com/>
>>   ,_
>> >' )
>> ( ( \
>>  " |\
>>
>>
>>
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