BJ's Birding Lessons - Part 17 - Seabirds
Jul. 27th, 2010 09:44 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
gemfyreWell, gulls and terns to be precise. The seabirds you're likely to see on the beach. Birds like albatrosses and petrels are found further offshore and tend to only come to the coast if they are very ill.
Silver Gull - Larus novaehollandiae
Photo by Rose Fletcher of Birdforum
This has to be one of the most familiar birds in Australia, their raucous calls define Australian beaches. Contrary to popular belief, there is no such species as a "Sea Gull", but gulls around the world are all found near the sea (as far as I know), so it's a generic term. The Silver Gull is the smallest gull in the world and the most common gull in Australia, often seen at beaches, lakes, playing fields, other waterways, rubbish tips and shopping centres where they are only too happy to eat the food we throw away. Unfortunately, studies are showing that this junk food diet is having an adverse affect on egg laying and in a few years the iconic Silver Gull may not be so common.
Despite being considered by many as a pest, this really is a beautiful bird. Adult Silver Gulls -
- are snowy white with silvery-grey wings and black wing and tail tips.
- When breeding, the beak and legs are deep crimson.
- I don't think I need to describe the call and behaviour? "Caw! Car! Gmrrrrrr!" *arch neck* *crouch low*.
- Young gulls have black eyes, beaks and legs and mottled brown plumage (see photo below), they also emit an annoying squeaky sound when begging for food, as anyone who has thrown their leftover chips will be able to tell you.
Photo by DRMW of Birdforum
Pacific Gull - Larus pacificus
Photo by Rose Fletcher of Birdforum
The Pacific Gull isn't awfully common around Perth, but they do pop up if you keep an eye out for them. They are certainly more common as you head south along the Australian coastline - they are particularly common in Esperance I found. Pacific Gulls are more the size of gulls you will find in other parts of the world, and, as you can see from the photo, they are huge in comparison to Silver Gulls. Apart from their size, look for -
- Black back and tail feathers.
- Snowy white head and underside.
- Heavy yellow bill with a red tip.
- Yellow legs.
Now, you've possibly heard of a Mollyhawk or Mollymawk. And you know they look like this...
Photo by Weiss1 of Birdforum
Despite what you may think, or what others may tell you, these are NOT albatrosses. They are juvenile Pacific Gulls. Strangely, in some places young Pacifics are more common than adults. You could mistake these for Brown Skuas, but Brown Skuas are a more uniform brown and generally not seen on the coast, anyway, pelagic birds are out of the scope of this series.
The Gulls have some close relatives that are a lot more diverse in both Australia and the Perth region. These are the Terns. Terns are like refined gulls. Where gulls are rounded terns are sleek and angular. They usually feed by diving headfirst into the water and spearing unsuspecting fish below the surface.
Caspian Tern - Hydroprogne caspia
Photo by DRMW of Birdforum
The Caspian Tern (sometimes referred to by silly birdos as the Capsicum Tern - Gull-billed Terns will often be called "Gullible Terns" as well) is the largest tern and found all over the world. They are relatively common but usually only seen in pairs or very small groups on both the beach and on the Swan River and lakes of the coastal plain. They are about the same size as the Pacific Gull, but also have a few other defining features -
- Large, heavy, bright red bill.
- A black cap that covers the eyes. This is more solid and defined in the breeding season.
- Sometimes you can notice a small crest on the back of the head.
- Black legs.
Crested Tern - Thalasseus bergii
Photo by Rose Fletcher of Birdforum
The Crested Tern is the most common tern in the Perth area and can often be seen in groups roosting on the shores of quieter beaches around Perth. If the distinctly different shape and neat arrangement of birds (when roosting they all face the same way) doesn't give it away, here's what to look for -
- Black cap with a small crest, this is blacker and more defined in the breeding season.
- Greenish-yellow bill. Noting the colour is important if you're travelling north in W.A., the very similar Lesser Crested Tern is almost identical, except for the fact that its bill is more orangey.
- About the size of a Silver Gull.
Fairy Tern - Sterna nereis
Photo by Paul Tavares of Birdforum
I wish there was something in this photo to give you an idea of size. The Fairy Tern is the little cutie of the terns in Perth, only a little larger than a Willie Wagtail. The Fairy Tern prefers the calmer waters of the lower Swan River and can often be seen at Alfred Cove and Point Walter. Look for -
- little fluttering birds that dive often.
- orangey-yellow beak and legs in the breeding season, they go more black when non-breeding.
- black cap which loses its definition in non-breeding season.
Again, as you head further north you have to discern these from another species, the Little Tern. Luckily in Perth you can be pretty sure that any tiny tern you see is a Fairy Tern. Just a note - the White Tern Gygis alba (you've probably seen it in nature documentaries about Lord Howe Island, it's the completely white tern that lays one egg precariously on a branch), is also called the Fairy Tern sometimes.
Whiskered Tern - Chlidonias hybridus
Photo by M Kwan of Birdforum
I shouldn't really include this one. You do see them on occasion at larger lakes like Herdsman, Joondalup and especially McClarty, but I'm not that up on identifying them myself. Depending on whether it's breeding season or not the features change drastically and at one stage they are almost identical to the rarer White-Winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus. One thing I DO know, is that in the right season, they have awesome, stormcloud grey bellies like you can see here. If you see a smallish tern over a lake (about the size of a magpie) with a thundercloud grey belly, you have yourself a Whiskered Tern.
ETA
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rdmasters reminded me, there is one more tern you have a good chance of seeing in certain spots around Perth.
Bridled Tern - Onychoprion anaethetus
Photo by me! Taken at Penguin Island.
Bridled Terns are a middle-sized tern that isn't so common on the mainland, but on offshore islands like Penguin Island, Rottnest and Lancelin Island you will find hundreds of these guys fluttering around. All three islands have breeding colonies on them. As you can see from my photo (which was taken with a crappy old digicam), you can get very close to them sometimes. If you are visiting these islands look closely under bushes and even under the wooden stairs, you may find eggs and chicks.
Bridled Terns are pretty easy to tell apart from the other common terns. Apart from being hugely abundant on offshore islands, they have -
- Black caps and a black stripe through the eye, creating the 'bridle'
- Dark grey wings and tail
- Black bill
- Snowy white underneath.
Silver Gull - Larus novaehollandiae
Photo by Rose Fletcher of Birdforum
This has to be one of the most familiar birds in Australia, their raucous calls define Australian beaches. Contrary to popular belief, there is no such species as a "Sea Gull", but gulls around the world are all found near the sea (as far as I know), so it's a generic term. The Silver Gull is the smallest gull in the world and the most common gull in Australia, often seen at beaches, lakes, playing fields, other waterways, rubbish tips and shopping centres where they are only too happy to eat the food we throw away. Unfortunately, studies are showing that this junk food diet is having an adverse affect on egg laying and in a few years the iconic Silver Gull may not be so common.
Despite being considered by many as a pest, this really is a beautiful bird. Adult Silver Gulls -
- are snowy white with silvery-grey wings and black wing and tail tips.
- When breeding, the beak and legs are deep crimson.
- I don't think I need to describe the call and behaviour? "Caw! Car! Gmrrrrrr!" *arch neck* *crouch low*.
- Young gulls have black eyes, beaks and legs and mottled brown plumage (see photo below), they also emit an annoying squeaky sound when begging for food, as anyone who has thrown their leftover chips will be able to tell you.
Photo by DRMW of Birdforum
Pacific Gull - Larus pacificus
Photo by Rose Fletcher of Birdforum
The Pacific Gull isn't awfully common around Perth, but they do pop up if you keep an eye out for them. They are certainly more common as you head south along the Australian coastline - they are particularly common in Esperance I found. Pacific Gulls are more the size of gulls you will find in other parts of the world, and, as you can see from the photo, they are huge in comparison to Silver Gulls. Apart from their size, look for -
- Black back and tail feathers.
- Snowy white head and underside.
- Heavy yellow bill with a red tip.
- Yellow legs.
Now, you've possibly heard of a Mollyhawk or Mollymawk. And you know they look like this...
Photo by Weiss1 of Birdforum
Despite what you may think, or what others may tell you, these are NOT albatrosses. They are juvenile Pacific Gulls. Strangely, in some places young Pacifics are more common than adults. You could mistake these for Brown Skuas, but Brown Skuas are a more uniform brown and generally not seen on the coast, anyway, pelagic birds are out of the scope of this series.
The Gulls have some close relatives that are a lot more diverse in both Australia and the Perth region. These are the Terns. Terns are like refined gulls. Where gulls are rounded terns are sleek and angular. They usually feed by diving headfirst into the water and spearing unsuspecting fish below the surface.
Caspian Tern - Hydroprogne caspia
Photo by DRMW of Birdforum
The Caspian Tern (sometimes referred to by silly birdos as the Capsicum Tern - Gull-billed Terns will often be called "Gullible Terns" as well) is the largest tern and found all over the world. They are relatively common but usually only seen in pairs or very small groups on both the beach and on the Swan River and lakes of the coastal plain. They are about the same size as the Pacific Gull, but also have a few other defining features -
- Large, heavy, bright red bill.
- A black cap that covers the eyes. This is more solid and defined in the breeding season.
- Sometimes you can notice a small crest on the back of the head.
- Black legs.
Crested Tern - Thalasseus bergii
Photo by Rose Fletcher of Birdforum
The Crested Tern is the most common tern in the Perth area and can often be seen in groups roosting on the shores of quieter beaches around Perth. If the distinctly different shape and neat arrangement of birds (when roosting they all face the same way) doesn't give it away, here's what to look for -
- Black cap with a small crest, this is blacker and more defined in the breeding season.
- Greenish-yellow bill. Noting the colour is important if you're travelling north in W.A., the very similar Lesser Crested Tern is almost identical, except for the fact that its bill is more orangey.
- About the size of a Silver Gull.
Fairy Tern - Sterna nereis
Photo by Paul Tavares of Birdforum
I wish there was something in this photo to give you an idea of size. The Fairy Tern is the little cutie of the terns in Perth, only a little larger than a Willie Wagtail. The Fairy Tern prefers the calmer waters of the lower Swan River and can often be seen at Alfred Cove and Point Walter. Look for -
- little fluttering birds that dive often.
- orangey-yellow beak and legs in the breeding season, they go more black when non-breeding.
- black cap which loses its definition in non-breeding season.
Again, as you head further north you have to discern these from another species, the Little Tern. Luckily in Perth you can be pretty sure that any tiny tern you see is a Fairy Tern. Just a note - the White Tern Gygis alba (you've probably seen it in nature documentaries about Lord Howe Island, it's the completely white tern that lays one egg precariously on a branch), is also called the Fairy Tern sometimes.
Whiskered Tern - Chlidonias hybridus
Photo by M Kwan of Birdforum
I shouldn't really include this one. You do see them on occasion at larger lakes like Herdsman, Joondalup and especially McClarty, but I'm not that up on identifying them myself. Depending on whether it's breeding season or not the features change drastically and at one stage they are almost identical to the rarer White-Winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus. One thing I DO know, is that in the right season, they have awesome, stormcloud grey bellies like you can see here. If you see a smallish tern over a lake (about the size of a magpie) with a thundercloud grey belly, you have yourself a Whiskered Tern.
ETA
rdmasters reminded me, there is one more tern you have a good chance of seeing in certain spots around Perth.Bridled Tern - Onychoprion anaethetus
Photo by me! Taken at Penguin Island.
Bridled Terns are a middle-sized tern that isn't so common on the mainland, but on offshore islands like Penguin Island, Rottnest and Lancelin Island you will find hundreds of these guys fluttering around. All three islands have breeding colonies on them. As you can see from my photo (which was taken with a crappy old digicam), you can get very close to them sometimes. If you are visiting these islands look closely under bushes and even under the wooden stairs, you may find eggs and chicks.
Bridled Terns are pretty easy to tell apart from the other common terns. Apart from being hugely abundant on offshore islands, they have -
- Black caps and a black stripe through the eye, creating the 'bridle'
- Dark grey wings and tail
- Black bill
- Snowy white underneath.
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no subject
Date: 2010-07-27 03:34 pm (UTC)After growing up in Perth seeing gulls in other parts of the world is a bit of a shock- you never expect them to be so big.
no subject
Date: 2010-07-27 09:47 pm (UTC)The Bridled Tern - they nest on Penguin Island, but you sometimes see them further up the coast.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridled_Tern
I cannot, though, find any really good photos, but there are some here:
http://anothergecko.blogspot.com/2010/02/aus-bird-486-bridled-tern-penguin.html
no subject
Date: 2010-07-27 11:09 pm (UTC)I think I should add it tonight. I actually have a really good photo I took myself on Penguin Island. :)
no subject
Date: 2010-07-27 11:39 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-07-28 12:22 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-07-29 04:05 am (UTC)It was an awesome 12 min podcast talking about the terrible conditions she endured to eventually see a sooty albatross..
it sounded like an exciting trip indeed
here is copy/paste of the end of the transcript
"It is not possible to run on a pitching yacht, but I travelled as fast as my tottering legs allowed and, breaking all the captain´s rules, reached the cockpit without donning my safety harness. I didn´t need binoculars (which is just as well, because while others managed, I found it tantamount to impossible to get binoculars to my eyes, and to focus with one hand, while hanging on with the other, and the object I´m trying to focus on is flying in and out of sight as waves surge and the boat lurches). In any case, I didn´t need binoculars. That magnificent light sooty albatross flew right over my head. For me the trip had been worthwhile. Others, I knew, wanted the spectacle of thousands of prions. But I was sated with my light-mantled sooty.
No-one told me to go below and put on my safety harness, so I didn´t. A little later, I was standing beside our tour leader when he saw a fiordland penguin in the water. I glimpsed a white blob swimming just below the surface and I fancy it had a yellow crest. No twitcher could possibly count such a blur. Our tour leader celebrated loudly. He´d been the only one to see the penguin. We all congratulated him, those of us who´d previously seen fiordland penguins even meant it."
no subject
Date: 2010-07-29 06:36 am (UTC)