Mystery Bird No 3

["Vella" <>]

This looks like a non-breeding Little Tern which appears the same size as
the 2 in breeding plumage next to this bird. This non-breeding bird has a
black-band running behind the eyes and behind the nape. A non-breeding
White-winged Black Tern has a smutty black band going rather over the crown
like a "horse-shoe" just behind the eye and often also has a small black
smutty mark just before the eye. This would be a main feature I would look
for when these  non-breeding Terns are at rest, otherwise there are other
features to look for when the bird is in flight. A non-breeding Black Tern
is similar to a non-breeding WWBT, but also has a black batch at the base of
the wings.

Most of these Little Terns in non-breeding plumage, from what I understand,
are migrants from SE Asia with the ones in breeding plumage the ones that
stay in Aust. but presume move into northern Aust. in winter. Please correct
me if I am wrong.

Edwin