Long-tailed Jaeger (Stercorarius longicaudus), Lake Pleasant, Yavapai County

This Long-tailed Jaeger was found and photographed by Mary McSparen on 18 October 2019

With 16 previous records for the state, the Long-tailed is the second most frequent of the three jaegers in Arizona, with slightly fewer records than Parasitic Jaeger. If accepted by the ABC, this would represent the second Long-tailed Jaeger this fall on Lake Pleasant. Adults are also less frequent in the state than immatues.

Although this individual lacks the characteristic long central tail feathers, it does lack a breast band, has a pale gray belly, has a distinct neat cap, short stout bill  and has white on the outer two primary shafts.

18 October 2019, photo by Mary McSparen

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