What color combination defines the bill of a breeding adult Xeme?
Answer
Black with a distinct yellow tip
The bill of the adult Xeme is a crucial identification mark, especially in summer plumage. It is slender and relatively short, measuring approximately one inch long. Its distinctive coloration is black across most of its length, culminating in a clearly visible yellow tip. This yellow tipping is absent in juvenile birds, whose bills are described as being all black, emphasizing the importance of this feature when assessing the age of an observed bird.
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