Another Skua ID (1 Viewer)

[martinattullymet]

Skua pics taken on Skye on Tuesday evening, resting from mobbing Common Gulls, My thoughts are that its an Arctic Skua, but some think that it might be a Long Tailed ? Any thoughts please.

Martin

 

[dafi]

I dont think that it has the length of tail. Did it look smaler than an Arctic?

 

[Bird Hard 2]

The white blaze around the bill and the lack of any strong contrast between the primaires and coverts both suggest Arctic Skua (aka Parasitic Jaeger or Arctic Jaeger).

 

[JWN Andrewes]

Also the undertail/vent area, what can be seen of it on pics 3 & 4, looks too pale for Long-tailed.

James

 

[Frenchy]

I can see why some people may be thinking this is a Long-tailed Skua, as the grey upperparts appear to be closer in colour to LTS than to Arctic's usually darker upperparts. However, i think this may partially be a photographic effect. As Bird Hard pointed out, the lack of contrast between the coverts and primaries indicates Arctic, as does the narrow pale blaze above the bill. Also, LTS has a cleaner cut, blacker cap than Arctic, which contrasts more with the mantle.
See: http://www.svalbard-images.com/photos/photo-birds-011-e.php for a nice adult LTS, and http://www.hlasek.com/stercorarius_parasiticus_954.html
for a selection of both species.

And it should have long tail streamers this time of year, although its certainly possible for an individual to lose them.

 

[martinattullymet]

Thanks for your replies, just as I thought.

Martin

 

[Dave Hall]

Hi Martin for me its Arctic the white bill surround and the general tone of the plumage point me in that direction