Before I got very close most of them flew off a little way to another part of the roost.
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.
Before I got very close most of them flew off a little way to another part of the roost.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
terns are such cool looking birds!
ReplyDeleteSo love that last shot of flight!
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful images of a species that is declining in numbers in North America, of particular concern here in Florida.
ReplyDeleteHi Mick; they're each delightful photographs; a great spot to visit
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos! The scenery is gorgeous. I really like that flight shot!
ReplyDeleteAgain, great shots!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeleteWonderful birds to see... I really like the last shot.
ReplyDeleteI have always love the terns. Your Gull billed tern looks big? Awesome photos.
ReplyDeleteI have always love the terns. Your Gull billed tern looks big? Awesome photos.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos of the Gull-Billed Terns. I especially like the last with the wings spread wide.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos especially in flight...thank you for visiting my woodpecker post...
ReplyDeleteThey are such Beauties, especially in their breeding plumage!
ReplyDeleteIn the second shot they look at you like they wanna say "Man, you are one huge bird with one huge beak"
;-)
Those flight shots are truly wonderful! Loved your photos!
ReplyDeleteGreat shots all but that last one is the kind of dream of. Well done.
ReplyDeleteHi there - very nice collection of shots.
ReplyDeleteWe 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
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.
ReplyDeleteNice shots Mick.
I wish you a wonderful year of great birding!
The last shot is great!!
ReplyDeleteSuch flexibility in their wing movements.
ReplyDeleteLove the last shot, especially.
Thanks Mick
Denis
Lovely looking birds, and I love that last shot Mick.
ReplyDeleteThey are so cool:)
ReplyDeletedon´t think I have seen this one before. Great shots Mick.
ReplyDeleteInteresting group shots. Love the last flight shot!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures. In that one, the godwit (I guess it is) looks like he is babysitting the terns.
ReplyDeleteSweet shots Mick! Kind of amazing the wing surface as opposed to body size. What a beautiful bird.
ReplyDeleteHappy New year Sir!
These are wonderfil Mick! The last flight shot is brilliant!
ReplyDeleteI would love to get to these poarts of SE Qld
Great shots of the Gull-billed Terns Mick! That last in-flight shot is just incredible!
ReplyDelete