Damara Tern
Sternula balaenarum
At 23 centimetres or 9.1 inches in length the Damara tern is a small, rather pale tern. In breeding plumage, the adult has a black cap extending from forehead onto the nape and a very pale grey back. In flight, it displays a black triangular wing tip which runs from the carpal joint to the tip of the wing. In non-breeding plumage the adult shows white on the forehead and crown, with a black mask around the eyes extending to the nape. Immature birds are marked with buff bars across the mantle. Voice: The calls of the Damara tern are a high-pitched, sharp "tsit tsit" and quick, harsh "kid-ick".
ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Yellow-billed Tern
Sternula superciliaris
It measures approximately 23–25 centimeters in body length and weighs 40–57 grams. It has a yellow beak and feet, silvery grey wings and white underbody and forehead. Its crown, nape, and eyeline are black. Juveniles are brown and white without the black cap.
ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Learn this pair in the BeakBrain App
Photo and call practice. Coming soon to iPhone and Android.
Play today's Daily BirdPhotos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Damara Tern and Yellow-billed Tern.