Mark B Bartosik
Well-known member
Several days ago juvenile jaeger has shown up on beach near west end of Galveston Island in Texas. From my observation it had some problems with one of its legs (seems temporally) and also has missing tip of its left wing (few primaries are missing). Bird can fly very well. As typical pelagic species jaegers very rarely can be found on land. Now is big debate; some birders say it is pomarine some parasitic.
I can only hope that my question will bring some experts to this thread to clarify the right name for this bird.
Also as opportunity to get so close portraits of jaegers is rare (I was even getting headshots from about 8 feet) it is a perfect moment for nature photographers living in close range to get some jaeger’s photos.
In posted photos I am trying to present all angles showing important field marks areas, but if some more details are needed, please point it to me and I should have it on another photos.
My own opinion: many field marks lead to say parasitic. But from my past life I never trust field guides 100% as I do not trust field observations as well. I always preferred to have specimen in my hand for all necessary analysis and comparison. Also as I never had opportunities to see and compare specimens of those two species I can not say if an expert can or cannot separate them with 100% certainty in the field.
Thanks for the time of those who are willing to help. If someone is interested in pinpoint location to find this bird I will send him/her this information. Of course I cannot guarantee how long this bird is going to be on shore.
Best regards, Mark
Folder:
http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=538934
or direct links to photos:
http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=3830837
http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=3830836
http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=3830835
http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=3830832
http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=3830831
I can only hope that my question will bring some experts to this thread to clarify the right name for this bird.
Also as opportunity to get so close portraits of jaegers is rare (I was even getting headshots from about 8 feet) it is a perfect moment for nature photographers living in close range to get some jaeger’s photos.
In posted photos I am trying to present all angles showing important field marks areas, but if some more details are needed, please point it to me and I should have it on another photos.
My own opinion: many field marks lead to say parasitic. But from my past life I never trust field guides 100% as I do not trust field observations as well. I always preferred to have specimen in my hand for all necessary analysis and comparison. Also as I never had opportunities to see and compare specimens of those two species I can not say if an expert can or cannot separate them with 100% certainty in the field.
Thanks for the time of those who are willing to help. If someone is interested in pinpoint location to find this bird I will send him/her this information. Of course I cannot guarantee how long this bird is going to be on shore.
Best regards, Mark
Folder:
http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=538934
or direct links to photos:
http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=3830837
http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=3830836
http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=3830835
http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=3830832
http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=3830831