Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2005-11b
| Common name: |
Least Tern |
| Scientific name: | Sterna antillarum |
| Date: | 12 May 2005 |
| Time: | ~ 11:30 A.M. |
| Length of time observed: | 15 Minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | Adult |
| Sex: | |
| Location: | Utah Lake State Park, Provo |
| County: | Utah |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | 4,600 feet |
| Distance to bird: | ~ 250 feet |
| Optical equipment: | 8 x 42 binoculars and a Kowa 20-60x 80 Scope |
| Weather: | Partly cloudy and fairly warm |
| Light Conditions: | good but not bright |
| Description: Size of bird: | About Killdeer size |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Slender with long pointed wings, forked tail and and long bill |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | White underneath, light gray above with a black cap |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | Long, slender and sharp |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
The head had a black cap the extended down the nape and forward only to the
forehead with a white triangle between the bill and both eyes. There were
black stripes from each eye to the bill. The bill was mainly yellow with a black tip and some black at the base. The tail was white and fairly deeply forked. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | None |
| Behavior: | The bird flew by us and landed on a log near a near the shore. It stayed on the log until we left. |
| Habitat: | Lake |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Forster's Tern: This turn had a complete black cap except for a white
triangle on the forehead unlike the Forster's. It was also much smaller.
(We observed both a Forster's Tern and a Caspian Tern from the same location --
there were three distinct sizes). Common Tern: The bill was definitely yellow and not red and the belly was very white instead of gray as with the Common Tern. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
I've seen the Least Tern several times in Utah. |
| References consulted: | Sibley's Guides (the big one and the western guide) |
| Description from: | memory and from the photos I took |
| Observer: | Milt Moody |
| Observer's address: | 2795 Indian Hills Drive, Provo, UT 84604 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | miltonmoody@yahoo.com |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | Reed Stone initially found the bird in the morning. Eric Huish and I found the bird and showed it to Bonnie and Stan Williams when they arrived. |
| Date prepared: | 15 May 2005 |
| Additional material: | Photos [by Eric Huish and Milt Moody] |
| Additional comments: |