ML108256331

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

****MEGA!! The first well documented Fea's Petrel in New York waters, and only the 2nd individual of the Fea's/Zino's complex to be reported in the state. Despite time seeming to slow down, the bird was in view at reasonable range for probably under a minute. Fairly large/thick Pterodroma Petrel, white bodied, mostly dark gray on the upperparts, with mostly dark/black underwings, except for the inner forewing, which had a triangle/wedge of obvious white. Wings appeared fairly long and the bird had a reasonably large feel to it. Didn't seem to fly with much urgency, nor an exceptional amount of speed or agility for a Pterodroma. Gray hood extended foreward to between the eye and bill, and down to the eye. Behind the eye, the gray dropped down in a half collar, not stretching onto the underside of the neck/chest. Upperparts were various shades of gray. Mantle and head/cap were fairly dark gray, and the lower back was even darker with a hint of brownish, contrasting obviously with a much paler rump and uppertail. Darker/browner color extended from the tertials out through the lesser/median coverts in a diagonal slash across both inner wings contrasting with paler silvery gray greater secondary coverts and inner forewing. Primaries, primary coverts, and secondaries were darker gray as well, though maybe not quite as dark/brown as the lesser/median covert bar. Bill was stout and quite noticeable in the field. Photos also show it to be reasonably thick, right in the range of Fea's, with a very small wedge-shaped gap between the bulbous bill tip and the nose tubes. Location was ~39.41, -72.166667 (~0.37 miles NW of the checklist location), but it was clearly attracted to and following the chum slick. Photos by several people on board. DG:

Technical information

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