Hydroprogne caspia from Egypt? (1 Viewer)

[Heifer]

Hello,

Observed flying over the beach in Hurghada.

My guess is the Caspian Tern.

Here is a short video clip:

Best regards

 

[Andy Adcock]

I'd agree with Caspian Tern

 

[Butty]

Can't see the underside of the primaries properly but the carrot-size bill must nail it. Is the video slowed down? (if so, that's definitely not what is wanted for ID - no offence - even if it is the only way you ever see birds on telly, sadly).

 

[Heifer]

Yes, I slowed down the video a bit.
I thought you could see the features a little better.

 

[Butty]

Thanks for explaining - sure, that could indeed be helpful for that reason - though in fact to achieve that it would have to be slowed a lot further still. But doing that affects the flight action and thus the impression that you get of a bird in the field (especially size), so it's necessary to say that that's been done 👍🏼 In my opinion.

 

[Heifer]

I can also insert the video again at the original speed. No problem.

 

[Southern Viking]

It is a Caspian Tern either way

 

[lou salomon]

Looks like a T. bergii to me. Wings a bit slimmer and more angular, primaries widely pale, dark upperside, only bill looks weirdish strong and straight but that might be due to angle.

 

[PYRTLE]

Looks like a T. bergii to me. Wings a bit slimmer and more angular, primaries widely pale, dark upperside, only bill looks weirdish strong and straight but that might be due to angle.

Disagree, Caspian Tern without doubt.....even a slowed down video clearly shows quite a unique flight action together with a huge bill as mentioned.

 

[Valéry Schollaert]

First part of the video shows a dark bird that matches T. bergii and not H. caspia. On the second part, I agree it seems to be a straightforward Caspian. Two different birds might have been filmed ?

 

[Butty]

The bird in the first part might even be a gull. I think I should prefer to see the video at the proper speed.