ML31024711

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Media notes

(c) Narasimhan 2016

Observation details

Description by Dipu Karuthedathu Bird flying across the boat fairly quickly (no sitting shots, could not track it further). The flight was slow and "heavy".The overall uniform dark plumage does not fit a Great/Chilean Skua, so the candidates boil down to Brown & South Polar Dark morph.The bird looks like just beginning its primary moult (P1-2 shed on June 26th), so fits a typical juvenile moult pattern. The pointed and worn outer primaries also appears good for a juvenile, so, this bird appears to be first cycle bird.The bill appear to be "slightly" dual-toned with a darker tip (as expected in juvenile/immature birds).The pale base to the primaries appear to be very small (again a juvenile feature).Underparts look very uniform, lacking mottling/streaks (typical of juveniles).Assuming this is a juvenile, some of the points which does not fit a "typical" SPSK juvenile may be.the uniform head, body and underwing coverts (SPSK juv generally show paler neck, some pale tones in the body/flanks etc.).No pale blaze at the base of the beak (which few SPSKs show, so absence is not definitive pointer, but just an additional observation).The underwing coverts appears to be uniform dark brown with no visible contrast between body and other feathers.The primary moult has started with just P1-2 dropped. [ South Polar Skuas typically show a much rapid start (with 3-4 dropped simultaneously) - Olsen & Larsson. (is this applicable for adults only or juveniles as well?) ]

Technical information

Model

NIKON D750

Lens

200.0-500.0 mm f/5.6

ISO

200

Focal length

290 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire, auto

f-stop

f/5.6

Shutter speed

1/2500 sec

Dimensions

2048 pixels x 1534 pixels

Original file size

1.02 MB