English and Scientific names:

Parasitic Jaeger, Stercorarius parasiticus

Number of individuals: 

1 intermediate plumaged bird, near adult?

Locality: LOUISIANA: 

Cameron Parish

Specific Locality:

Holly Beach, ca. 1/2 west of Holly Beach proper

Date(s) when observed:

25 September 2007

Time(s) of day when observed:  

1820

Reporting observer and address:

James W. Beck

Broussard, LA

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

 

n/a

Other observers who independently identified the bird(s):

n/a

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

sun setting to the west of the bird with clear skies, good lighting conditions

Optical equipment: 

Swarovski 10x42 EL binocular

Distance to bird(s): 

ca. 30 meters

Duration of observation:

ca. 1-2 minutes

Habitat: 

beach

Behavior of bird: 

bird initially seen harassing gulls and terns in flock along the shore, diving at sitting birds, but would also give short chases after flying individuals. after a few moments, the bird then landed on the beach by itself and sat for a few seconds, allowing me to photograph it. after this, it then got airborne again and chased more Laughing Gulls and Caspian Terns before heading east along the shoreline.

Description:

bird appeared close to, or slightly smaller in body size than surrounding Laughing Gulls, more long-winged. in flight, the bird gave powerful, long wingbeats that showed off white flashes on both the upper and undersides of the primaries.  I was unable to determine exactly which primary #'s were white.  very little (if any upperwing color contrast.  bird was largely brownish with a light-colored head and face, and a well-defined peak to the cap around the nape. the undertail coverts appeared to be washed with rufous. bill thin and delicate looking to its head, with a gray color and black tip. legs gray. central rectrices not seen well.

Voice:

n/a

Similar species:

Pomarine Jaeger is larger, more stocky bodied with thicker bill.  this bird was just real slender and knifed through the gulls and terns effortlessly...just didn't seem as combersome as some of the Poms I've seen (which aren't many...).

Long-tailed Jaeger is smaller yet than Parasitic, and doesn't display as much white on both sides of the primaries in flight.

Photographs or tape recordings obtained?

yes

Previous experience with this species: 

none

Identification aids:

after observation:

Sibley

This description is written from: 

notes taken after observation

Are you positive of your identification? If not, explain: 

 

yes

Reporter: 

James W. Beck

Date and time: 

6 October 2007, 2046