Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2020-39
| Common name: |
Pomarine Jaeger |
| Scientific name: | Stercorarius Pomarinus |
| Date: | September 10, 2020 |
| Time: | 4:00 PM |
| Length of time observed: | Less than 1 minute |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | Adult |
| Sex: | unknown |
| Location: | Antelope Island Causeway - approximately mile marker 5 |
| County: | |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | |
| Distance to bird: | 75-100 yards at closest |
| Optical equipment: | 12X50 EL Swarovski binoculars |
| Weather: | Mostly clear with some light wind |
| Light Conditions: | Bright afternoon |
| Description: Size of bird: | Large-appeared larger than than Ring-billed or California Gull |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Generally gull shaped, but significantly bulkier and more barrel-chested |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | Dark back and wings. See below |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | Did not look closely at bill. |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Large, mostly dark brown, barrel-chested gull-like bird. Very distinctive, powerful wing beats. No gliding observed. Dark face and crown with distinct borders. Light, slightly creamy colored neck and throat, almost like a collar. (Frankly, the first thing its face called to my mind was an acorn woodpecker) Darkish chest with whitish mottled body. Very dark back and wings. Clearly saw fairly long, slightly trailing, spoon-shaped, rudder-like tail. |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | N/A |
| Behavior: | Flying slightly above eye level East to West. Very noticeable, very powerful wing beats. |
| Habitat: | Mudflats and short grassy patches |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Gulls and other Jaegers are the only other similar species I am aware of. All similar species were eliminated because of unique head, face, neck marking, and particularly because of the spoon-shaped tail. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
None. |
| References consulted: | Kaufman Field Guide to Birds of North America. Sibley's Birds West 2nd Edition. |
| Description from: | Notes made later |
| Observer: | Terry Reid |
| Observer's address: | 2675 East Canyon Rd |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | None |
| Date prepared: | 9/13/2020 |
| Additional material: | |
| Additional comments: |