Which Skua? Iran, Hormozgan, Mar. 2024 (1 Viewer)

[Pedrambirder]

Hi all,
Is it a juvenile Arctic or sth else?

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Hello,
It's an Arctic Skua for me too. Head and especially bill shape (long and slender) seems good to me and bad for the other two species.
More, I would expect a Pomarine to show a prominent/fuller belly.

For ageing and confirmation better wait for others, but It may well be a juvenile in its 2nd cy with the faded juvenile plumage. What about the obvious, not slight visible moult contrast in the primaries? Does it provide a hint for ageing? Thanks!

 

[Harrybongo]

Hi. Yeah, agree with, Alexander. A pomarine would have more of a spotted pattern on the head/nape, and not streaked, as is obvious in the pic.....as for the ageing 🤔 🤔

 

[Pedrambirder]

Hello,
It's an Arctic Skua for me too. Head and especially bill shape (long and slender) seems good to me and bad for the other two species.
More, I would expect a Pomarine to show a prominent/fuller belly.

For ageing and confirmation better wait for others, but It may well be a juvenile in its 2nd cy with the faded juvenile plumage. What about the obvious, not slight visible moult contrast in the primaries? Does it provide a hint for ageing? Thanks!

Thank you for explaining details and keys.
‌It wasn't observed in good light condition, so I had to open shadow in L.R to see some details. It was present there less than 10 secs, so we didn't have enough time to change the boat's direction for better light.

 

[Pedrambirder]

Thank you.

Hi. Yeah, agree with, Alexander. A pomarine would have more of a spotted pattern on the head/nape, and not streaked, as is obvious in the pic.....as for the ageing 🤔