Parasitic Jaeger (Stercorarius parasiticus), Bill Williams River NWR Delta, La Paz County, La Paz County

This Parasitic Jaeger was photographed by Keith Kamper on 07 September 2022.

Rare

Parasitic Jaeger is a rare, but regular early fall migrant at large lakes, particularly on the Lower Colorado River. There are now more than 20 records from the state - almost all from early-mid-September.

uvenile. Small-headed compared to the other two jaegers. Barring on the upper and under tail coverts was very muted. The bill was intermediate in size between Long-tailed and Pomarine; it appeared slender, light at base, with about 1/3 black. The two central tail feathers extended moderately beyond the rest of the tail and appeared relatively pointed; this extension is very short in Pomarine and longer in Long-tailed. Around 4-5 light-colored primary shafts vs. the typical 2 of Long-tailed Jaeger. Warmer brown tones that the other jaegers. Appeared slightly smaller than the Ring-billed Gulls present.

07 September 2022, photo by Keith Kamper