Seabirds ID Request - Pakistan (2 Viewers)

[Azan Khan]

Hi everyone, can anyone help me ID these seabirds? Posting it on behalf of a friend.

The first bird is a jaeger which apparently looks like Parasitic/Arctic Jaeger to me based on the two pointed tail feathers but I'd still like to see a a response regarding its correct identity, preferably with tips.

The second bird looks like a Flesh-footed Shearwater to me but I'm not very confident. Any response would be appreciated since it could be the first record from Pakistan.

Same goes for the last bird, which looks pretty good for Persian Shearwater but need confirmation.


Location: Arabian Sea, Pakistan
Date: Oct 2022

Photo credit: Akbar Ali Asif

 

[Muppit17]

Hi everyone, can anyone help me ID these seabirds? Posting it on behalf of a friend.

The first bird is a jaeger which apparently looks like Parasitic/Arctic Jaeger to me based on the two pointed tail feathers but I'd still like to see a a response regarding its correct identity, preferably with tips.

The second bird looks like a Flesh-footed Shearwater to me but I'm not very confident. Any response would be appreciated since it could be the first record from Pakistan.

Same goes for the last bird, which looks pretty good for Persian Shearwater but need confirmation.


Location: Arabian Sea, Pakistan
Date: Oct 2022

Photo credit: Akbar Ali Asif

I agree with your Shearwater ID, and both species are regular in the Arabian Sea off the UAE so would expect them here.

As for the Jaeger, although the tail seems to be more like Arctic not only in the two longer feathers but also the the overall shape, (both species will have lost their long feathers). However, it has the weight & bulk that reminds me more of Pomarine. This is easier to tell from flight action. The heavy bill and breast band also seems to support Pomarine but is the black cap extensive enough?

 

[Grahame Walbridge]

I agree with your Shearwater ID, and both species are regular in the Arabian Sea off the UAE so would expect them here.

As for the Jaeger, although the tail seems to be more like Arctic not only in the two longer feathers but also the the overall shape, (both species will have lost their long feathers). However, it has the weight & bulk that reminds me more of Pomarine. This is easier to tell from flight action. The heavy bill and breast band also seems to support Pomarine but is the black cap extensive enough?

Yes it's an immature (2nd/3rd cy) Pomarine; heavy bill, broad breastband and bulky build and, regarding cap, the black is clearly moulting through below the gape line.

Agree with the shearwater ID's.

Grahame

 

[smiths]

The skua is an immature Arctic/Parasitic, due to the prominent white shafts on all primaries, extensively white uppertail coverts, very pointed central tail feathers, white patch at base of upper mandible, and restricted black cap. The bill does not look particularly heavy to me, and the breast pattern is normal for immature Arctic. And no, it is not moulting; both immature Pomarine and immature Arctic skua have long completed their head moult by November (cf. Howell 2007).

 

[Grahame Walbridge]

Moulting, don't know what I was thinking! Thanks for the clarification Peter.

Grahame

 

[Azan Khan]

Thank you all for your valuable responses and confirming the identifications. Much appreciated.

Regards,
Azan