Royal-Tern-Handoff-See comments for animation
Yesterday I posted a GIF (still photos made to play like a video) of a Least Tern chick getting fed. This Royal Tern handoff is being played at the same speed. See if your eye can pick up that when the adult comes in with a fish and blocks the view of the chick for a fraction of a second as the handoff takes place, in just that split second the fish has been consumed. I've watched what happens when the fish is too large for the chick or it fumbles with it. Laughing Gulls or other Royal Terns will come in for the steal. (Sterna maxima)
Royal-Tern-Handoff-See comments for animation
Yesterday I posted a GIF (still photos made to play like a video) of a Least Tern chick getting fed. This Royal Tern handoff is being played at the same speed. See if your eye can pick up that when the adult comes in with a fish and blocks the view of the chick for a fraction of a second as the handoff takes place, in just that split second the fish has been consumed. I've watched what happens when the fish is too large for the chick or it fumbles with it. Laughing Gulls or other Royal Terns will come in for the steal. (Sterna maxima)