Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2006-29
| Common name: |
Least Tern |
| Scientific name: | Sterna antillarum |
| Date: | 6/11/06 |
| Time: | 3:00 p.m. |
| Length of time observed: | 15 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | Adult |
| Sex: | Unknown |
| Location: | J.W. Fitzgerald WMA |
| County: | Tooele |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | |
| Distance to bird: | 20 to 200 yards |
| Optical equipment: | Pentax 8x42 and Pentax 10x42 binoculars |
| Weather: | Clear and Sunny |
| Light Conditions: | Bright |
| Description: Size of bird: | Extremely small compared to nearby Caspian Tern |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Yellow bill Black cap with white forehead Pale gray back and upper wings Edge of upper wing (first one or two primary feathers) appeared dark gray or black Under parts white with under wings showing a narrow darker (medium gray) edging on the primary feathers |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | Not heard |
| Behavior: | The tern was flying about 10 to 20 feet above the water. It also dove into the water (tern-like) 4 or 5 times. |
| Habitat: | Small reservoir immediately surrounded by some reeds and aquatic grasses. Immediate reservoir area surrounded by sparse desert vegetation--some small sagebrush and dry grasses. |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Caspian Tern is much larger with a large reddish orange bill and no white
forehead. Common Tern is larger with gray underparts, a black-tipped orangish bill and no white forehead. Forsters Tern is larger with a black-tipped orange bill and no white forehead. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
We've seen Least Terns many times both in Utah and in other states where they are more common. We also regularly see Caspian, Forsters and Common Terns in Utah each year. |
| References consulted: | Sibley National Geographic |
| Description from: | Notes made later |
| Observer: | Joel and Kathy Beyer |
| Observer's address: | 1719 Hillcrest Avenue, Salt Lake CIty, UT 84106 |
| Observer's e-mail address: |
twobirders@juno.com |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | None known |
| Date prepared: | 7/15/06 |
| Additional material: | |
| Additional comments: |