Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2018-39
| Common name: |
Long-tailed Jaeger |
| Scientific name: | Stercorarius longicaudus |
| Date: | 9/5/18 |
| Time: | 9:50 AM |
| Length of time observed: | 9 Minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | Juvenile |
| Sex: | unknown |
| Location: | Route 128, just east of junction to Moab. Approx 2.4 miles west of Cisco. |
| County: | |
| Latilong: | 38°55.6"N 109°18.4"W |
| Elevation: | 4400 feet |
| Distance to bird: | 75 feet or less |
| Optical equipment: | 10x Image Stabilized Binoculars, Canon SX60 Camera, Swarovski ATX95 Spotting Scope |
| Weather: | Calm, temp approx 70F |
| Light Conditions: | Light Overcast |
| Description: Size of bird: | Similar to medium-sized gull. |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Gull-like. |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | Head and neck gray, wings and tail dark with light mottling. |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | Rather short, slightly hooked. |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
First view, in flight, the bird had long slender wings and a gull-like
appearance, but mottled coloration and bill shape suggested immediately some
type of Jaeger. Mottled coloring, such as this bird has, is present on juvenile
Jaegers. ID of Long-tailed is based on 1) Overall gray color. 2) Feather edgings
are whitish on the body and the primaries. 3) Strong straight barring on vent
and undertail coverts. and 4) Bill size and shape, along with the amount of pale
area at the base. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | Bird was silent. |
| Behavior: | While driving along the road, this bird lifted up off of the ground and flew just ahead and to the side of the vehicle, giving views from the back. It then landed, and allowed a reasonably close approach by the vehicle. After standing for awhile, it sat down and remained sitting until we departed. |
| Habitat: | Desert. (highly unusual location for this species) |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Three Jaeger types in North America. Pomarine would have a brownish hue instead of the gray color seen on this bird. It would have a heavier bill. It would have a heavier build and broader wings. Parasitic would have a brownish hue instead of the gray color seen on this bird. It would have a longer, more slender bill. At least some of the feather edgings would be Buffy or rustier, especially on the wing tips. The barring on the vent and undertail coverts would be fainter. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
I have seen several adult Long-tailed Jaegers on Pelagic birding trips off the coast of California. |
| References consulted: | National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds, 7th edition. "Birds of North America" online, Cornell Lab of Orinthology. Paul Lehman, personal correspondence. |
| Description from: |
From memory From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Glenn Kincaid |
| Observer's address: | HC64 Box 2404 Castle Valley Utah 84532 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | Steve Heinrich |
| Date prepared: | 9/5/18 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional comments: |