Skua Id

[michael23]

Hi everyone, photographed in october this year off the isles of scilly,
Down as an Arctic but would like it t be confirmed either way plz.

http://s692.photobucket.com/albums/vv283/michael23_photo/skua/

:smile:

[MichaelF]

Agree with Arctic Skua. Bill too slender for Pomarine, also tail spine-like, not 'spoony'. Long-tailed has a short bill, and no breast band.

No doubt some from the USA will disagree with the name . . . :err:

[marklhawkes]

Tail shape is diagnostic of Arctic (and apparent white area above bill is too, if its not a photographic effect). The complete breast band is unusual (in my experience), as this is normally a good feature for Pomarine. Shape and structure fine for Arctic Skua.

[Colin Key]

No doubt some from the USA will disagree with the name . . . :err:

Yep, the "Loons" will call it a Parasitic Jaeger :laugh:

Colin :ohdear:

[michael23]

Thanks both for the confirmation guys.

[forktail]

The complete breast band is unusual (in my experience), as this is normally a good feature for Pomarine.

I have never thought this to be a particularly useful feature Mark. A quick perusal of google images will show several Arctics with complete breast bands.

http://www.outdoorphoto.co.za/forum/photopost/data/523/BBR_20060628_0030.JPG
http://www.travelwild.com/gallery/Spitsbergen%20Cruise,%20June%2020-29%202008/large/arctic-skua.jpg
http://www.birdsireland.com/images/2008/august/arcticskua02.jpg
http://i.pbase.com/g4/88/689488/2/65065781.fLFQkDRy.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2508/3766358810_21c192c405.jpg

F.

[marklhawkes]

Thanks Tim - not being a regular seawatcher, I have to confess to restricted skua knowledge. Thanks for the info though. Some literature notes a complete breast band as a good feature of Pomarine, and this has been the case on those that I have seen, but clearly it is not restricted to Poms alone.