Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2021-64
| Common name: |
Parasitic Jaeger |
| Scientific name: | Stercorarius parasiticus |
| Date: | 10/02/21 |
| Time: | 9:28am |
| Length of time observed: | 5 seconds |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | Juvenile |
| Sex: | Unknown |
| Location: | Bountiful Pond, Bountiful Utah, United States |
| County: | Davis |
| Latilong: | 40.907000°, -111.920817° |
| Elevation: | 4213 feet |
| Distance to bird: | 25 meters |
| Optical equipment: | Vortex 10X42 |
| Weather: | Sunny |
| Light Conditions: | Bright |
| Description: Size of bird: | About the size of a California Gull |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Seabird shape, gull-like, slender |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | Juvenile dark morph, brown with dark splotches |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | Similar to a gull s bill |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Immediately stood out amongst the other gulls at the pond because of its color. Face and bill shape and color indicated Jaeger. Aged by the splotches. Gray bill with black tip. |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | None |
| Behavior: | Flying |
| Habitat: | Marshland, pond |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
California Gull and Ring-billed Gull were present but none had the rich brown color overall with the black-tipped gray bill. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
I had recently visited Decker Lake in West Valley to see another Parasitic Jaeger and recognized this one to be the same species. |
| References consulted: | Audubon bird guide (app), and a fellow birder who witnessed the bird with me. |
| Description from: | Notes taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Brian Peck |
| Observer's address: | 553 Wellington Dr. Kaysville, UT 84037 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | Sharee Harrison |
| Date prepared: | 11/01/21 |
| Additional material: | |
| Additional comments: |