Shearwater? ID please (1 Viewer)

Jacamar

Well-known member

• Apr 5, 2005

• #1

I saw this bird at the beach today. It was larger and heavier built than a Laughing Gull that was nearby. It spent most of the time sitting quietly on the beach.
I apoligize for the poor pictures but I had to use digital zoom to get close enough. I think it might be a Shearwater of some sort but I can't figure out what it is. Can anyone help? I do have more pictures including an out of focus flight shot if they are needed.

 

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Andrew Rowlands

Well-known member

• Apr 5, 2005

• #2

Jaeger Chris?

 

M

MikeDale

Well-known member

• Apr 5, 2005

• #3

pale phase South Polar Skua?

 

Joern Lehmhus

Well-known member

• Apr 5, 2005

• #4

It is a Skua, but I am not sure which. Sorry...

 

StuartReeves

Local rarity

• Apr 5, 2005

• #5

Certainly a Skua. I'm a bit out of practice with them but my gut reaction is Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus, although it could also be an Arctic, S. parasiticus. They might appear under differnt names (i.e. Pomarine & Parasitic Jaeger) in some fieldguides.

Stuart

 

Dimitris

Birdwatcher in Oz

• Apr 5, 2005

• #6

I dislike these things(As I do Gulls)...A skua of some sort...I'll go for Pomarine as well....

Dimitris

 

M

MikeDale

Well-known member

• Apr 5, 2005

• #7

I think it's too bulky for an Arctic surely.

 

RockyRacoon

Well-known member

• Apr 5, 2005

• #8

MikeDale said:

pale phase South Polar Skua?

Click to expand...

I think it's a South Polar Skua in pale phase too. I know a guy who has seen these so I'll send the photo to him.

 

Jacamar

Well-known member

• Apr 5, 2005

• #9

Here is a flight shot that is quite out of focus, but it may be helpful.

Whatever it is, it is rare/accidental for Guyana. If it is indeed the South Polar Skua, I think it would be the first record of it for Guyana.

 

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Last edited: Apr 5, 2005

Joern Lehmhus

Well-known member

• Apr 5, 2005

• #10

Does look more like a pomarine skua to me, but I don´t have life experience with south polar skua.

 

jurek

Well-known member

• Apr 5, 2005

• #11

For me it is Pomarine Skua.

South Polar I saw only on pictures, but SPS is far bulkier bird.

 

M

MikeDale

Well-known member

• Apr 5, 2005

• #12

While I admit it may be a Pomarine I'm still not sure it's not a South Polar Skua. As they are regularly seen as far North as Canada they obviously go past Guyana to get there.

Check this site out. >Skuas<

 

StuartReeves

Local rarity

• Apr 5, 2005

• #13

MikeDale said:

While I admit it may be a Pomarine I'm still not sure it's not a South Polar Skua. As they are regularly seen as far North as Canada they obviously go past Guyana to get there.

Check this site out. >Skuas<

Click to expand...

Nice pictures of South-polar Skuas which clearly demonstrate that this bird isn't one ! All of the Catharacta skuas are much heavier birds than the Guyana skua, and all show much heavier, all dark bills than this bird shows. Simialrly, their plumage is never as pale as this bird. I still think it's a Pomarine Skua.

Stuart

 

Mangrove Pitta

Active member

• Apr 5, 2005

• #14

Arctic or Pomarine Skua

 

Joern Lehmhus

Well-known member

• Apr 5, 2005

• #15

In addition to Stuarts comments, the barring on breast and flank feathers looks wrong for South Polar Skua to me, but good for Pomarine Skua.

 

R

RecoveringScot

Well-known member

• Apr 5, 2005

• #16

Joern Lehmhus said:

In addition to Stuarts comments, the barring on breast and flank feathers looks wrong for South Polar Skua to me, but good for Pomarine Skua.

Click to expand...

The two-tone dark-tipped bill is a good Pomarine feature as well. It looks like a juv Pomarine comng out of winter plumage to me.

 

Jacamar

Well-known member

• Apr 5, 2005

• #17

So a Pomarine Jaeger it is! Thanks everybody for your help. It is a lifer and a VERY unexpected one at that!

 

Last edited: Apr 5, 2005

njlarsen

Gallery Moderator

Opus Editor

Supporter

• Apr 5, 2005

• #18

I looked at the pictures of SP Skua in the link, and could not find a truly light phase bird. However, those I looked at had if anything the crown lighter than the sides of the head, not oppocite like in this bird. Additionally, even though it is not conclusive, the most likely bird in the Caribbean is the pomarine, I will generally see a couple of birds every time I am on a boat a little from land.

HTH
Niels

 

Jane Turner

Well-known member

• Sep 2, 2006

• #19

I missed this all those years ago, but I'm filing it as a Pomarine Skua! NIce Everton Mint effect going on its its under-tail coverts. Bill looks a little lightweight though!

 

JANJ

Well-known member

• Sep 2, 2006

• #20

On structure it looks like an Arctic, smallheaded, bill size, bicoloured not that obvious contrasting
maybe a 1st summer bird?

JanJ