tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601910926931693330.post4745526837026490387..comments2023-06-27T15:54:10.694+01:00Comments on Mike Barth Bird Photography Blog: Gulf Pelagic 10.06.11Mike Barthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08761202910620666121noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601910926931693330.post-52238152143116533302012-05-11T00:44:19.715+01:002012-05-11T00:44:19.715+01:00Hi Mike
Well done on the Sooty Tern! I believe it...Hi Mike<br /><br />Well done on the Sooty Tern! I believe it is a juvenile, quite a young one at that, rather than a 2nd year bird. Sooties begin post-juv moult quite soon, and this is unique among the Onochyprion Terns in being a complete moult, so the inner primaries and outer rectrices are replaced fast. There's no sign of that having started in your bird. The body moult renders the breast and flanks significantly paler than your bird. By the second cycle, Sooties look relatively adult-like. If you'd like to discuss this further, email me at digdeepatyahoodotcom.digdeephttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03476936736306373644noreply@blogger.com