Australian Tern

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Chilli Beach, Iron Range NP, CYP, FNE Qld IMG_2243 20191214 - breeding plumage

Notes: Large pale tern w. short stout gull-like black bill & long black legs. Slow steady gull-like
flight. Breeding plumage: full black cap. Non-breeding plumage: black patch around eye & ear-
coverts; whitish head steaked or mottled black, especially on hindcrown & nape. Larger than
similar Gull-billed Tern which in non-breeding plumage has only a small eye-patch, possibly
connected to a black spot on ear-coverts. Forages on the wing. On coastlines, lakes, wetlands.

Range from eBird^©(last 10 years)

Foreshore, Cairns, FNE Qld IMG_0762 20191019 - non-breeding plumage, w. Sharp-tailed Sandpiper.

Foreshore, Cairns, FNE Qld IMG_3801 20231001 - breeding plumage bathing.

Foreshore, Cairns, FNE Qld IMG_2884 20180523 - breeding plumage. CLICK for another 20170929.

Foreshore, Cairns, FNE Qld IMG_8489 20230904 - non-breeding plumage CLICK for another, 20210513

Foreshore, Cairns, FNE Qld IMG_2083 20230922 - non-breeding plumage CLICK for another, 20230827

Foreshore, Cairns, FNE Qld IMG_7231 20221116 - non-breeding plumage. CLICK to see flying.

Foreshore, Cairns, FNE Qld IMG_6986 20230822 - non-breeding plumage. With crustacian. CLICK for close-up.

Foreshore, Karumba, FN Qld IMG_4700 20201806 - juvenile: dark scalloping on upperparts & wing coverts.

Foreshore, Cairns, FNE Qld IMG_3098 20210523 - immature: some dark bits on secondaries, white cap w. few streaks.

Chilli Beach, Iron Range NP, CYP, FNE Qld IMG_2270+2274 20191214 - w. Greater Sand Plover and Grey-tailed Tattler x 2.

Foreshore, Cairns, FNE Qld IMG_0809+0810 20191019 - w. Great Knots, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper.