Crested Tern

[Jude Latt <>]

Hubby and I went crabbing in the Caboolture River this morning and as we were 
putting the boat in a lone crested tern hovered just meters above us .. 
obviously looking for food in the boat.   I'm almost positive this bird was a 
crested tern (Thalasseus bergii) but I was amazed to see in the middle of the 
chest area a large black perfect circle of feathers. The bird hovered about 
four times over us and each time I saw the circle of jet black feathers.  I 
guess the area of black would be the size of a five cent piece.      


Is this normal ?      I've looked in all the field guides but can't see mention 
anywhere of any tern having a 'circle of black feathers' directly down from 
it's bill about 2cm, appearing in the middle of the chest area.


Judith Lattaway


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