Parasitic Jaeger (Stercorarius parasiticus), Lake Havasu, Mohave County

This Parasitic Jaeger was found by David Vander Pluym on 10 September and photographed by Lauren Harter on 12 September 2018 and photographed by Matthew Grube on 16 September 2018

Casual in Arizona. If accepted by the ABC, this would be the 18th record in Arizona. Most Arizona records are from Lake Havasu in September.

Identification of juvenile jaegers is complex. Parasitic is the only species to have such a relatively small-headed appearance and muted barring on the tail coverts and underwing coverts. The bill is intermediate in size between Long-tailed and Pomarine. The two central tail feathers extend beyond the rest of the tail; this extension is very short in Pomarine and longer in Long-tailed. Overall coloration is a warmer brown than the other species. Finally, the size - slightly smaller than a Ring-billed Gull - fits Parasitic Jaeger.

12 September 2018, photo by Lauren Harter

16 September 2018, photo by Matthew Grube

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