West African Crested Tern
Thalasseus albididorsalis
A large tern found strictly in coastal areas. Very pale, with a long forked tail. Shows a black cap and orange bill in breeding plumage, and a white cap, black back of the head, and yellow-orange bill when not breeding. Feeds in open ocean and saltwater bays, where it flies above the water looking for small fish. Rests on beaches, often in mixed groups with other tern species. Separated from most other terns by large size; only slightly smaller than Caspian. Separated from Caspian by the thinner orange bill (usually not deep red), shaggier crest, longer tail, and in flight the much paler wing, without a large panel of solid black. Similar to Lesser Crested Tern, but significantly larger and chunkier.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Thalasseus albididorsalis
- Authority
- (Hartert, EJO, 1921)
- Order
- Charadriiformes
- Family
- Laridae
- Genus
- Thalasseus
Range and habitat
- Breeding range
- AF : coasts of Mauritania to Guinea (w Africa)
- Non-breeding range
- to coasts of Morocco in n and s to Namibia
Photos
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Pale-billed Hornbill
Lophoceros pallidirostris
Mid-sized gray hornbill with a white belly and horn-colored bill. The white tail corners are conspicuous in floppy flight. The sexes are similar, though males have a larger casque on top of the bill. Generally uncommon in miombo woodland. Usually in pairs or small groups. Similar to African Gray Hornbill, but has less contrasting overall coloration, and an entirely pale rather than mostly dark bill.
Yellow-winged Vireo
Vireo carmioli
Small yellowish bird; note bold wingbars and face pattern with short pale eyebrow and arc under the eye. Yellow underparts sometimes bright, sometimes paler whitish, but always some yellow tones. Could be mistaken for a tyrannulet but note thicker bill and more horizontal posture. Usually seen singly or in pairs, following a mixed-species flock through forest, edge, and second growth. Found at relatively high elevations in its limited range. Song is a slow series of short phrases, like a squeaky Yellow-throated Vireo.
Elliot's Storm-Petrel
Oceanites gracilis
Common small storm-petrel of the northern Humboldt Current (can be seen from shore in northern Chile) and Galapagos Islands (where often follows boats, pattering in the wake with long legs dangling). Flight rather weak and fluttery, unlike strong deep wingbeats of Wedge-rumped Storm-Petrel, which also follows boats in Galapagos. The long legs and feet of Elliot’s project past tip of tail, unlike Wedge-rumped. Plumage similar to the slightly larger Wilson’s Storm-Petrel (but note white belly of Elliot's), and are often not safely distinguished at sea.
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