Long-tailed Jaeger (Stercorarius longicaudus), Lake Pleasant, Maricopa and Yavapai counties

This Long-tailed Jaeger was found photographed by Mary McSparen on 17 September 2019 and was refound and photographed again by Mary on 27 September 2019.

With 16 previous records for the state, the Long-tailed is the second frequent of the three jaegers in Arizona, with slightly fewer records than Parasitic Jaeger. If accepted by the ABC, this would represent only the second record for Maricopa County, the first being from 1970.

Juvenile jaeger with long central tail feather projection, strongly barred upper and under tail coverts, all of the underwing is strongly barred and contrasts with the flanks, and whitish (not cinnamon) fringes to the upperparts. Note also the structure, with a relatively larger head than Parasitic Jaeger, and a short bill with the nail making up about half the length. Although more subject to changes in position and lighting, other supporting features include the two white primary shafts and the contrastingly dark secondaries on the upperwing.

17 September 2019, photo by Mary McSparen

 

27 September 2019, photo by Mary McSparen

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