Whiskered or Gull-billed Tern in Uganda--Lake Victoria (1 Viewer)

[Tom St]

Besides the abundant White-winged Terns, another tern species was seen on the lake.
Photos taken on 31.01.2025.
Not sure if ID is possible with these horrible photos.
Thank you for your help.

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Hello Tom,

I usually hesitate to comment on birds from outside Europe and for good reasons.

But your bird looks good for a Whiskered Tern with a Marsh Tern jizz (round body with long, stucked on wings).
Bill seems proportionaly to small for a Gull-billed Tern.
(And the blackish carpal bar a feature oft Marsh Terns)


But as always...
(I havent for example seen Saunders Tern, and again this came into my mind: where is Killian Mullarney, is he still here on BF? His account seems to be active, so I hope.That would be great!)

 

[THE_FERN]

(Saunder's tern very unlikely at the location)

 

[Tom St]

White-winged, Gull-billed and Whiskered Tern are the only tern species regularly reported at that location. Thanks for your feedback, @Alexander Stöhr .

 

[birdboybowley]

I'd say Whiskered too