Posted by Steven Mlodinow (205.188.199.201) on August 11, 2000 at 18:49:44:
Greetings Again
I am freshly back from a visit to NC where I was able to look at a few imm Common Terns. Contra R. Millington, they all had primaries that were darker than the rest of the wing. They all had larger bills than the quiz bird as well. The head pattern (on the quiz bird) does show somewhat restricted black for an Arctic, but it is still more extensive than that seen on the Commons last weekend.
I doubt this bird is a Common and still believe it is an Arctic.
Cheers
Steve Mlodinow