Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Gull-billed Terns

Gull-billed Terns (Sterna nilotica) can often be found at the Mullens roost with the migratory shorebirds. These Terns stay in Australia all year but leave this area to breed on inland lakes and water. In breeding plumage they have a full black cap. In non-breeding plumage this black cap reduces to a black patch around the eye. There were several birds still with a black cap in the flock I saw the other day. They had been roosting with Bar-tailed Godwits.
Before I got very close most of them flew off a little way to another part of the roost.

26 comments:

  1. terns are such cool looking birds!

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  2. So love that last shot of flight!

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  3. Very beautiful images of a species that is declining in numbers in North America, of particular concern here in Florida.

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  4. Hi Mick; they're each delightful photographs; a great spot to visit

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  5. Beautiful photos! The scenery is gorgeous. I really like that flight shot!

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  6. Again, great shots!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

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  7. Wonderful birds to see... I really like the last shot.

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  8. I have always love the terns. Your Gull billed tern looks big? Awesome photos.

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  9. I have always love the terns. Your Gull billed tern looks big? Awesome photos.

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  10. Wonderful photos of the Gull-Billed Terns. I especially like the last with the wings spread wide.

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  11. Beautiful photos especially in flight...thank you for visiting my woodpecker post...

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  12. They are such Beauties, especially in their breeding plumage!
    In the second shot they look at you like they wanna say "Man, you are one huge bird with one huge beak"
    ;-)

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  13. Those flight shots are truly wonderful! Loved your photos!

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  14. Great shots all but that last one is the kind of dream of. Well done.

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  15. Hi there - very nice collection of shots.

    We get Gull Bills down here from time to time, but not when I look for them!

    I was not the only one in our group who was surprised at how well the crakes were showing!

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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  16. So much to learn . . . water birds have never really been my forte so I never would have thought of checking the look of the bill.

    Nice shots Mick.

    I wish you a wonderful year of great birding!

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  17. Such flexibility in their wing movements.
    Love the last shot, especially.
    Thanks Mick
    Denis

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  18. Lovely looking birds, and I love that last shot Mick.

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  19. don´t think I have seen this one before. Great shots Mick.

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  20. Interesting group shots. Love the last flight shot!

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  21. Beautiful pictures. In that one, the godwit (I guess it is) looks like he is babysitting the terns.

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  22. Sweet shots Mick! Kind of amazing the wing surface as opposed to body size. What a beautiful bird.
    Happy New year Sir!

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  23. These are wonderfil Mick! The last flight shot is brilliant!
    I would love to get to these poarts of SE Qld

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  24. Great shots of the Gull-billed Terns Mick! That last in-flight shot is just incredible!

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