birding-aus

Help with Skua ID

To: "'Mick Roderick'" <>, "'Birding Aus'" <>
Subject: Help with Skua ID
From: "Gregory Little" <>
Date: Sun, 17 Jun 2007 12:11:38 +1000
Mick

Used only Harrisons (1983 & 1987) Identification Guide and Photographic
Guide and am only learning these things. While other Skuas could be
found in the area it appears that this is most likely either the Chilean
or South Polar Skua. These also have the short tail projections in that
area. Have lightened the images to see more underbody detail etc. Among
other details and going on the slightly narrower bill and light area at
the base of the upper mandible my "guess" is South Polar Skua.

Greg Little

-----Original Message-----
From: 
 On Behalf Of Mick Roderick
Sent: Sunday, 17 June 2007 1:06 AM
To: Birding Aus
Cc: Allan Richardson
Subject: Help with Skua ID

Hi there fellow Aussies,

Although these birds weren't seen in Australian waters, I thought I
would throw this out to the B-aus forum.

I have some images (albeit 'ordinary' ones) of a Skua that we had
trouble identifying on a pelagic off Lima (Peru) last weekend. See:

http://s178.photobucket.com/albums/w248/Brewerbackpacker/Skua/

The images don't show a great deal due mainly to backlight, but show a
relatively slender bill and, with the last photo of an adult bird, a
lack of yellowish markings on the tertials and lower back. 

For these reasons we are thinking they could be South Polar Skuas (first
year + adult birds) and not Chilean or Brown. If anyone has any
expertise on Skuas, I'd love to hear from them. I am finding it very
difficult!

Regards,

Mick Roderick

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