Wednesday 27 February 2019

Wild Bird Wednesday 345 - White Terns

White Terns (Gygis alba) are easy to see on Lord Howe - but their pure white feathers makes them much harder to photograph.  Exposure is always a problem.

These are a selection of the many shots I took when I was there - they are enchanting birds.

As you can see the adults build no nests, the eggs and chicks just balance on a branch.  I did not find any eggs on branches, but I suspect that the bird being fed in these pictures came from the egg shell on the floor.  I like to think so anyway.







This chick is being fed.
This chick is being fed. 









Work has been really busy this week - with luck, I should have a couple of hours to visit and comment on Wednesday night - there is always hope!  

Feel free to spread the word about our little birding community in 2019. SM.
Inlinkz Link Party

24 comments:

  1. HI Stewart Would you believe I am having trouble linking in. I did get the photograph up no problem and the web site was correct as I copied it from my OWN web site and pasted it in but when I clicked my photograph to visit to see if it was OK, I was directed to a message that said the site was not secure and private so I deleted the image again.. I think I tried 4 times so if you can put it on please do so for me please.

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  2. HI Stewart. I tried again checking everything again and this time have left the thumbnail on as you may be able to detect what I am doing wrong! That is a gorgeous bird and thanks for hosting this meme.

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  3. What a stunning bird and very unusual 'nesting' habits. Don't work too hard, take a rest Diane

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  4. I saw this species in Hawaii, where they are known as Fairy Terns. It is amazing that they can accomplish incubation and rearing of young without a nest and on a rounded tree limb at that!

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  5. Great photos! But what a precarious way to raise the young. I didn't know there were birds who didn't make a nest in the tree but instead relied on the eggs remaining on a branch, and then the same for the chicks once they were born. Wow!

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  6. They really are stunning with that black black eye contrasting with the pure white! But honestly you wonder how some birds survive. Just popping those eggs out practically any old where. We have doves here though that build the messiest almost not there nests in the most precarious places and yet they are, I think, the most populous bird there is. .... thank you so much for hosting .

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  7. Awesome-looking birds and the chicks are very cute too! Hopefully I can see some too one day!

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  8. Fantastic! They are totally new to me.
    It is nice to see them.

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  9. Beautiful birds! Amazing that they don't build nests

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  10. Stewart, fantastic capture of the White Terns in flight. Thanks for sharing.

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  11. Fabulous photos! Gorgeous creatures!

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  12. What a gorgeous bird!! Obviously I've never seen one but at least I might be able to identify this one!! Terns, gulls and sparrows drive me nuts trying to ID them.

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  13. Manu O Ku the Honolulu oficial bird <3

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  14. Sweet family photos..Beautiful bird..love the wee ones..Enjoy the rest of your week..

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  15. Stewart these shots are just perfect...the clarity is beyond excellent. What kind of camera/lens' do you use if you don't mind me asking?...:)JP

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  16. Gorgeous birds!!!! I can't wait to see this species!

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  17. Beautiful terns! Nice work.

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  18. Hello Stewart,
    I took the liberty to nominate you to the Sunshine Blogger award. I hope you don't mind.
    All the best.
    Luisella (italiafinlandia)

    traitaliaefinlandia.com/2019/03/01/febbraio-2019/

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  19. What great photos of a beauty of a bird. Feeding her chick like that and no nest! Eeek

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  20. Such gorgeous shots! Don't work too hard... ;-)

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