Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Long-tailed Jaeger
Scientific name:	Stercorarius Longicaudus
Date:	5/20/2026
Time:	1:00 PM
Length of time observed:	15 minutes
Number:	1
Age:	adult
Sex:	unknown
Location:	Otter Creek Reservoir
County:	Piute
Latilong:
Elevation:	6377
Distance to bird:	100 yards
Optical equipment:	8 x 43 Zen Ray binoculars and Vortex Razor 15-60 X
Weather:	sunny
Light Conditions:	mid day sun
Description: Size of bird:	small larus gull size
(Description:) Basic Shape:	gull/jaeger
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	black, white, gray
(Description:) Bill Type:	small seabird type bill
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	I was scanning the lake at the Otter Creek State Park Marina when I noticed a darker head gull, or what I thought was such. I grabbed scope and went to look closer when I quickly realized I was dealing an adult breeding jaeger. It initially was just loafing on the water about 150 yards off the shore feeding on insects, or what appeared to be insects. I got excited and ran to my car to grab the camera. As I returned I looked in the scope and quickly watched it pick up to fly. I noticed the long streamers off the tail as it took off flying. I watched it fly and took a quick photo as it flew several hundred yards up the reservoir. It landed off an area known as Fisherman Beach. I hopped in my car and raced over to the beach. As I arrived it was out there floating where it landed with a group of Eared Grebes. It was grabbing bugs as it was earlier. It was about 100 yards from me now and I could see much better. It had a very small bill and was clearly a small jaeger. The bill appeared dark from where I was. I couldn't see enough detail to see where the darker tip was in relation to the rest of the bill. It had a neat black cap that extended below the eye up to the crown and then down into the nape. It had had a white throat that went down the neck and wrapped around to the base of the nape. It had a lighter gray mantle as it floated. I unfortunately couldn't get enough detail on the wings as it flew away as it was straight away it flew. I am basing it being a Jaeger on the small size. It appeared quite a bit smaller than nearby California Gulls. The bill was rather dainty, the mantle being lighter, and the long streamers with a neat cap lead me to a Long-tailed (See photos)
Song or call & method of delivery:	never heard it call
Behavior:	It was loafing on the water and actively reaching head up into the air to grab bugs. It also picked up and flew a few hundred yards and then landed again and continued loafing and catching bugs. I never saw it actively chasing any of the gulls or other birds around.
Habitat:	reservoir in high desert setting
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Parasitic Jaeger- The cap appeared black and not a darker brown as Parasitic would have. The mantle was too light for a Parasitic Jaeger. The bill was too dainty as well. The streamer was much longer than I'd expect for a Parasitic. Pomeraine Jaeger- The long streamer, lighter mantle, small size, and dainty bill would eliiminate this species. There is no gull that fits the description or photo of this bird. All the black headed type gulls would not have a streamer behind the tail. Terns- The tiny bill and bigger size would eliminate all terns that would fit the size of this bird. Forsters Tern woud be too small, and Caspian Tern would have such a dainty bill.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	I've seen adult and juvenile Long-tailed Jaegers
References consulted:	Sibley
Description from:	Notes taken at the time of the sighting From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	KC Childs
Observer's address:	Orem, UT
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:
Date prepared:	May 24, 2026
Additional material:	Photos
Additional comments: