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Jaeger/Skua from Indonesia (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter orientaldkf
- Start date
Andy Adcock
Worst person on Birdforum
I think it might be Long-tailed?
Obvious contrast in the blackish trailing edge of secondaries and maybe doesn't have the bulk of a Pom?
I am by no means a seabird expert or enthusiast so I could be talking rubbish!
Obvious contrast in the blackish trailing edge of secondaries and maybe doesn't have the bulk of a Pom?
I am by no means a seabird expert or enthusiast so I could be talking rubbish!
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orientaldkf
Well-known member
Thanks for the help guys! Went to relook at plates and underwing patterns do match an immature long-tailed much better.
Richard Prior
Halfway up an Alp
I would say that's an Arctic Skua too, the bill and the pointed tail suggest Arctic to me.
Andy Adcock
Worst person on Birdforum
It's no Pom anyway I think we've established but Arctic must be a huge rarity in Indonesia, not even shown as a passage migrant on Birdlife?
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Rotherbirder
Well-known member
Immature skuas are notoriously difficult; FWIW, I would go with Arctic on this one too. As has already been said, the proportions of head & bill are more suggestive of this species than Pom or Long-tailed.
RB
RB
The Lynx guide describes Arctic as an uncommon migrant and a bit less common than Pomarine and Long-tailed. On Ebird Long-tailed and Arctic seem to have a similar number of records (both less common than Pom).
Andy Adcock
Worst person on Birdforum
Status in Indo?
viator
Well-known member
All three are uncommon migrants with Arctic being the least common.
Andy Adcock
Worst person on Birdforum
As I thought, thanks.
rollingthunder
Well-known member
An ID feature on, certainly on adult Long-tailed Skuas, on distant seawatching is the presence of only 2 of the outer feathers showing pale stems. This feature is clearly visible on this bird and if the feature holds true for imm birds it would make it a LTS.
I came across this info in a British Birds article in the early 80’s from a group of Swedish or Danish birders. As it was the latest issue i took it to read whilst on the Scillies during my annual 2-week jaunt which i made each year of that Golden decade. Our group of 5 were on Peninnis Head during our first afternoon when one of us (Dave Burns) spotted the wing of a moribund bird over a mile away on adjacent Deep Point. This wing was being lifted up periodically by a light breeze. Dave said he thought it might be a dead Skua, the 3 others said ‘just a dead Gull. Armed with my recently acquired knowledge i quickly set up my ‘scope and not only confirmed it as a Skua but proclaimed it specifically as an adult Long-tailed on the basis of the described feature!:eek!:
We hot-footed it around and picked up a perfect specimen of adult LTSkua. Later that evening during the daily evening log at the Porthcressa the only record of LTS ‘1 at Deep Point’ to which Mike Rogers said ‘are you sure? The bird was duly held high for all and sundry to see much to everybodys amusement and delight.
During the following 2 weeks we received a steady trickle of observers to our rented flat in Hugh Town to look at and photograph the beautiful specimen.
It was stuffed and mounted in a cabinet at Dave’s house. Sorry if i have banged on but it’s a good story:t:
Laurie -
I came across this info in a British Birds article in the early 80’s from a group of Swedish or Danish birders. As it was the latest issue i took it to read whilst on the Scillies during my annual 2-week jaunt which i made each year of that Golden decade. Our group of 5 were on Peninnis Head during our first afternoon when one of us (Dave Burns) spotted the wing of a moribund bird over a mile away on adjacent Deep Point. This wing was being lifted up periodically by a light breeze. Dave said he thought it might be a dead Skua, the 3 others said ‘just a dead Gull. Armed with my recently acquired knowledge i quickly set up my ‘scope and not only confirmed it as a Skua but proclaimed it specifically as an adult Long-tailed on the basis of the described feature!:eek!:
We hot-footed it around and picked up a perfect specimen of adult LTSkua. Later that evening during the daily evening log at the Porthcressa the only record of LTS ‘1 at Deep Point’ to which Mike Rogers said ‘are you sure? The bird was duly held high for all and sundry to see much to everybodys amusement and delight.
During the following 2 weeks we received a steady trickle of observers to our rented flat in Hugh Town to look at and photograph the beautiful specimen.
It was stuffed and mounted in a cabinet at Dave’s house. Sorry if i have banged on but it’s a good story:t:
Laurie -
I initially thought LTS, then changed my mind and deleted my thoughts. However, I keep coming back to this bird. Why isn't it a 2CY Long-tailed Skua?
Pro-features include;
Upperwing pattern (white restricted to two outer primaries) and dark trailing edge to wing.
Underwing pattern (including lack of warm or gingery tones)
Upper and undertail pattern (bold, with lots of white and grey tones)
Structure and apparent light-weight feel look okay for LTS.
The long bill did initially worry me, but see this bird for another example.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8287/29059532741_d4cab7ae69_b.jpg
Pro-features include;
Upperwing pattern (white restricted to two outer primaries) and dark trailing edge to wing.
Underwing pattern (including lack of warm or gingery tones)
Upper and undertail pattern (bold, with lots of white and grey tones)
Structure and apparent light-weight feel look okay for LTS.
The long bill did initially worry me, but see this bird for another example.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8287/29059532741_d4cab7ae69_b.jpg
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Nutcracker
Stop Brexit!
Tail is also wrong for juvenile Long-tailed Skua (has blunt tip to central feathers), but that would only apply if this was a juvenile, which I'd presume it isn't (juveniles won't have fledged yet, let alone reached the tropics!) - I don't know what tail shape first-summer and 2nd summer LTS have. Anyone know?
Pedro Ramalho
Well-known member
pointed, tail is ok for a second year LST.
Nutcracker
Stop Brexit!
Thanks!
orientaldkf
Well-known member
Thanks everyone for the help in confirming the ID!
