ML623407384

Observation details

**rare, but likely more regular than currently reported. Medium-sized intermediate morph Jaeger, similar in size to RBGU, though overall appearance much more slender and falcon-like. This bird was CLOSE, I initially spotted it with my naked eye and all photos of the bird were taken directly with my phone camera, no time for digibinning (the one time I don't bring my DSLR...) There was a group of gulls loafing on the beach, then suddenly, boom, they all went airborne at once. I then saw the jaeger dive into the group, picking one bird to chase higher and higher into the sky before dropping down and moving on to another one, driving the whole group of 250+ birds farther and farther south along the shoreline and eventually further out over the water. Size & shape rule out Pomarine Jaeger. Long-tailed Jaeger is a bit trickier, but size & shape, especially the tail proportions, the single white flash visible in the wing vs. limited white shafts present in LTJA, and sharper contrast between pale belly and darker vent point to PAJA. PAJA also likeliest based on probability, proximity to shore, and behavior noted by Sibley, stating that "chases terns and small gulls frequently and relentlessly to steal food (more than other jaegers)." Please excuse the poor photos. I did the best I could!