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Common Tern (tibetana)

Common Tern (tibetana)

21 April 2012 - Southern Waters

I believe these are likely tibetana although Robson shows the bill as rather strongly bicolored (red base and black tip) for tibetana. Both Robson and Brazil state longipennis has reddish-brown legs so I am not sure leg color is enough for subspecific identification on these birds.



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There was this photo of the two presumed subspecies seen before. In this picture the difference looks rather marked.

http://www.hkbws.org.hk/BBS/redi ... 6&goto=lastpost

However, now that I see your photos of the terns from Russia it does seem that maybe the terns seen Saturday could be appropriate for longipennis. Perhaps the bird with dark legs seen before was an aberrant i]longipennis.

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