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ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

Skua/Jaeger ID (1 Viewer)

I'll stick with Arctic, the undertail barring is not as obvious as I would expect for LTS, but I can see what you mean.
 
Very tricky on that view but some plumage tones seem to be rather rufous indicating Arctic Skua as well the bird showing quite prominant wing flashes.
But still not 100% convinced.
 
I'd go for Arctic too. The two central tail feathers should be a little more obvious & it looks a lot larger than that ragged Bonaparte's Gull.


Dave J
 
Still not happy about this bird. Those central TFs are undeniably blunt. Wish it was side on and I could get a feel for its structure. There is overlap on size between the species anyway.

The white on the underwing isn't a problem I don't think and the gingeryness might well be the light - the Boneys is pretty pink too!

AS
http://www.sunbirdtours.co.uk/images/arcticskuaandgreyheadgull.jpg
http://www.homepages.mcb.net/wormwell/Arctic Skua050904a.jpg


LTS
http://home.clara.net/ammodytes/ltskua3.jpg
http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/photos/Normal/705.jpg
http://www.ofo.ca/photos/vanwagner/holden/long-tailedfullshot.jpg
http://www.martinreid.com/Image files/LTJAEGD.jpg
http://www.avesphoto.com/website/pictures/JAELTL-4.jpg
 
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too many primaries on underwing show extensive white to me for a Long-tailed although some birds do have white on the first few outer pps. The overall coloration looks wrong to me also but they are variable even if most dont show any warm tones. Its a dark type juvenile (light type juveniles have pale bellies and for me it shows to much ginger for a dark type LTS. Dont see a problem with the tail. It even looks like it has a dark cap and the makings of a broad breast band starting to appear. The bill also looks too long and the coloration doesnt seem to be a problem for Parasitic. Head also looks big.
I would call it a Parasitic on that view.
Funny though that ID is being discussed from one photograph which was taken on a pelagic with presumably several observers watching the bird at close range. Have you contacted the pohotographer to see if he/she has more pics?
 
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