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 – adult light form in winter molt.

3. Locality: LOUISIANA: (parish)

Cameron Parish

Specific Locality:

@ 4 miles offshore from Calcasieu River Jetties

4. Date(s) when observed:

December 21, 2012

5. Time(s) of day when observed:

2:00PM

6. Reporting observer and address:

Dave Patton, Lafayette, LA 70506

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

Robby Bacon and Tom Finnie although ID realized in photos later.

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):Indirect sun light as the bird flew by.

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

Binoculars and 300mm photo lens

11. Distance to bird(s):

@100 feet as it flew by

12. Duration of observation:

One pass about 20 seconds long

13. Habitat:

open gulf waters around a shrimp boat and mixed flock of gulls

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

Obvious jaeger that raided a group of gulls behind a shrimp boat. It was sitting on the water away from the boat and made one pass through the gulls and flew off. It was one of 9 jaegers seen during a couple of hours around this shrimp boat.

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):Light form Parasitic Jaeger. White belly, dark back, wings, head and tail. White flash in the base of the outer primaries. Throat was dark flecked with white. Small white area on the forehead at the base of the bill. Two pointed central tail feathers seen in photos. Head and bill look good for Parasitic. ID not realized until looking at photos later that evening. Photos attached.

16. Voice:None

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

Pomarine: White at base of bill on forehead not seen on Pomarine. Two pointed central tail feathers.

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

Dave Patton

19. Previous experience with this species:

Some 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:__1/8/2013________

Time:___5:30PM____