LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE

REPORT FORM

1. English and Scientific names: Parasitic Jaeger, Stercorarius parasiticus

2. Number of individuals, sexes, ages, general plumage (e.g., 2 in alternate plumage):

1 dark form adult in winter molt

3. Locality: LOUISIANA: (parish)

Cameron Parish

Specific Locality:

About 4 miles offshore of Calcasieu River Jetties

4. Date(s) when observed:

December 21, 2012

5. Time(s) of day when observed:

1:00 PM

6. Reporting observer and address:

Dave Patton, Lafayette LA 70506

7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s):

Robby Bacon, Tom Finnie

8. Other observers who independently identified the bird(s):

9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light):

Various orientations to the sun as it flew around the boat.

10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition):

binoculars and 300mm photo lens

11. Distance to bird(s):

closest @ 50 feet

12. Duration of observation:

5 minutes

13. Habitat:

open gulf around a shrimp boat and gulls

14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation (flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification; relate events surrounding observation):

Flew in and raided a flock of mixed gulls around a shrimp boat that would occasionally throw off by catch. It made several passes and would sit on the water a couple of hundred yards away. After a couple of raids including a successful steal, it flew off.

15. Description (include only what was actually seen, not what "should" have been seen; include if possible: total length/relative size compared to other familiar species, body bulk, shape, proportions, bill, eye, leg, and plumage characteristics. Stress features that separate it from similar species):Dark brown color overall. White flash in base of outer primaries. Some pale edges to the feathers on the back. Solid brown underwing of an adult. The head and bill looked small as on Parasitic. Lacked the white forehead at the base of the bill often seen on Parasitic. Chest looked heavier to the front rather than barrel chested. Central rectrices were pointed as seen on Parasitic. Size similar to Laughing Gulls as compared in close flight. See photos.

16. Voice:None

17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation):

Pomarine: Head and bill looked smaller, not as barrel chested, central tail feathers pointed rather than blunt.

18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?):

Yes, Dave Patton, attached, Tom Finnie, one attached.

19. Previous experience with this species:

A few off Louisiana

20. Identification aids: (list books, illustrations, other birders, etc. used in identification):

a. at time of observation:

b. after observation:

Skuas and Jaegers, Olsen and Larsson

21. This description is written from: __X___ notes made during the observation (_____notes attached?);_____notes made after the observation (date:_____); __X___memory.

22. Are you positive of your identification if not, explain:

Yes

23. Signature of reporter:

Date:_1/8/13_________

Time:___5PM____