Outdoor Ontario

Request for Information => Bird ID => Topic started by: jandb on August 23, 2014, 09:28:14 PM

Title: Jaeger/Skua?
Post by: jandb on August 23, 2014, 09:28:14 PM

Hello good people -

Driving home today we spotted this large seabird.  Wingspan had to be close to 4 ft.  Couldn't really understand what we were seeing at first since we are...nowhere near the sea.  Cochrane, ON, about 8 hours north of Toronto.  It was soaring very high on thermals, and these shots were the best we could do with the 250 we had with us.  Generally grey bird, no noticeable dark cap, slight darkening toward top edges of primaries.  As usual, we offer you our thanks in advance.

[attachment=2:dum1p5q9]23-08-2014 7-22-19 PM.jpg[/attachment:dum1p5q9]
[attachment=1:dum1p5q9]23-08-2014 9-10-47 PM.jpg[/attachment:dum1p5q9]
[attachment=0:dum1p5q9]23-08-2014 9-11-30 PM.jpg[/attachment:dum1p5q9]

Title: Re: Jaeger/Skua?
Post by: Rotarran on August 24, 2014, 09:08:00 AM

I think that's a sub-adult Herring Gull.  The overall impression seems to be of a gull and the colouring and size you suggest would fit Juvenile Herring.

Title: Re: Jaeger/Skua?
Post by: jandb on August 24, 2014, 03:06:49 PM

Thanks.  The flight pattern of this confused us.  It flew more like a hawk than a gull.  We didn't get the impression of Herring seeing it live, but that makes a lot of sense.