Marsh Terns, Little and Saunder's Terns
Photographed in the outskirts of Sigiriya.
Photographed in Mannar.
Photographed in the outskirts of Sigiriya.
Photographed in the outskirts of Sigiriya.
Whiskered Tern
(අලුපියා කන්ගුල්-ලිහිනියා)
Chlidonias hybrida
Based on the size of the beak and the black on the head extending to the nape but does not drop below the eye, I believe this is a Whiskered Terns.
Images 1 to 4 are from Mannar. Images 5 to 9 are from the outskirts of Sigiriya.
Photographed in Panadura beach.
Photographed in Mannar.
Photographed in Panadura beach.
Photographed in Panadura beach.
White-winged Tern / White-winged Black Tern (සුදුපියා කන්ගුල්-ලිහිනියා)
Chlidonias leucopterus
Based on the fact that the black eye-strip drops behind the eye and the dull orange legs, I believe this is a White-winged Tern. This is a difficult identification as the smaller Tern's have similar features. If someone thinks I have made an incorrect identification, please let me know.
First photographed at Mannar (images 1 to 3). Images 4 and 5 are from Panadura beach.
Still waiting to get lucky and capture image.
Still waiting to get lucky and capture image.
Saunders's Tern
(සෞන්ඩර්ස් මුහුදුලිහිනියා)
Sternula saundersi
Yet to capture image
Photographed in the outskirts of Matara.
Photographed in the outskirts of Matara.
Photographed in the outskirts of Matara.
Photographed in the outskirts of Matara.
Little Tern
(පුන්චි මුහුදුලිහිනියා)
Sternula albifrons
Although I only saw them flying around without settling down, based on the size, the white forehead and wing patterns, I'm fairly certain this is a Little Tern. Seen at a marsh on the outskirts of Matara.
Still waiting to get lucky and capture image.
Still waiting to get lucky and capture image.