South Atlantic Jaeger

[dfaulder]

I saw this bird in the South Atlantic on a recent cruise, on the leg between Peninsula Valdez and the Falkland Islands. Obviously a Jaeger but I hesitate to be more specific. Your opinions would be greatly appreciated.

I have posted my bird photos from the trip at www.flickr.com/photos/dfaulder.
I would appreciate any comments on my ID's, especially the seabirds (Shearwaters, Albatrosses, Petrels).

Cheers,
Doug Faulder
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada

[CAU]

It looks like an adult (based on the uniformly dark underwing coverts) Long-tailed Jaeger to me, but I'm not too experienced with winter plumaged jaegers:
-it gives a petite impression, with a protruding breast but otherwise slender looking body
-the bill looks stubby
-the wing coverts are mid-grey, contrasting clearly against the dark inner primaries (the wing coverts are usually clearly darker on Parasitic and Pomarine Jaeger, but I don't know how well that holds true in winter)
-at least the six inner primaries lack white shafts
-the base of the bill seems to show a slight pinkish tinge (good for Long-tailed and Pomarine Jaeger, not as good for Parasitic)

[adriaens]

Indeed, CAU. Another good feature for adult Long-tailed is that the underwing lacks a whitish patch at the base of the primaries.

[Sherpa]

Another vote for Long-tailed Skua.

Upperpart colouration, wing pattern, bill and overall structure all suggest Buffon's.

If you guys use a silly name like jaeger then please forgive me for using the old name Buffon's.

[forktail]

Another vote for Long-tailed Skua.

Upperpart colouration, wing pattern, bill and overall structure all suggest Buffon's.

If you guys use a silly name like jaeger then please forgive me for using the old name Buffon's.

And another

dark head, paler greyish hindneck, dark lower neck and upper breastb and then an obviously paler belly, two obvious pale primary shafts, bold and clear uppertail barring, contrast in the wing, small rounded head shape and slight jizz, bill with good amount of dark on the tip

F.

[dfaulder]

Thank you,

So Long-tailed Jaeger (also known as Long-tailed Skua) it is.

Doug Faulder