Parasitic Jaeger (Sterocorarius parasiticus) photos by Larry Jordan
While at Clear Lake a couple of weeks ago to give a presentation on the Burrowing Owl to the local Redbud Audubon Society, I was privileged to be able to join Dr. Floyd Hayes as he and three fellow birders monitored the waterbirds on the entire lake.
Floyd is the ornithologist in charge of monitoring the grebes nesting on Clear Lake for Redbud’s four year grebe conservation project. While on the lake that day, Floyd’s sharp eyed student assistant, Doug, spotted a Parasitic Jaeger (Sterocorarius parasiticus) on the lake (click on images for full sized photos).
It was an immature bird making identification a more difficult challenge
but getting some photographs of the bird in flight was a big help.
The thing is, these birds breed in the arctic tundra and are usually only seen off shore in summer when they are migrating. It is rare to find them on an inland lake on the West Coast.
See the range map, courtesy of Terry Sohl from South Dakota Birds:
So for this birder it was a special treat to see my first Parasitic Jaeger, a life bird for me. Then to be able to get photos from the boat, priceless.
I hope I didn’t get too carried away with the photos but we wanted to positively identify this bird. This last photo was probably the best ID shot showing the barring undertail coverts and the extended central retrices.
I hope you enjoyed the Parasitic Jaeger photo gallery as much as I enjoyed shooting it! To see more great bird photos, check out World Bird Wednesday and come join the fun!
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow! So very exciting. I enjoyed viewing this spectacular series of images! Congratulations on the lifer!
Julie G.´s last post ..Changes
Well done in getting your wonderful flight shots.
A lovely bird to see.
Andrew´s last post ..Bala Lake (Lynn Tegid) and Llyn Celyn……………………………………………
Good series, well done!
Modesto Viegas (Portugal)´s last post ..Perna-longa
Great series!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
Boom & Gary´s last post ..Warblers Of The Vermilon River. A Post To WBW.
Great photos – especially the in-flight ones. It’s always special to see a bird like that where it is not expected.
Mick´s last post ..Mangrove Honeyeater
This shouldn’t have much problem getting through the review committee with such great photo documentation. Congrats on the life bird!
Great photos, Larry! I would never be able to id this bird. It looks like the gulls I see all the time. I will have to do some studying on these birds.
eileen´s last post ..White Breasted Nuthatch
…incredible photos…and such a rarity! Glad you were there to photograph him. I’ve never seen one and was glad to take a peek at him through your photos!
Kelly´s last post ..My hummers are not always angelic…
Congrats, Larry! Great flight shots! I have never had the luck on any pelagic trips that I have been on to see a Jaeger. Thanks for sharing.
Hilke Breder´s last post ..Lincoln’s Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow and American Pipit
Beautiful flight shots! Congratulation!
Greetings:)
What terrific shots of the Jaeger flying over the water!
Pat´s last post ..Little Brown Birds
Larry, Congratulations on the new Lifer. I enjoyed seeing this striking bird!
Jean´s last post ..Birding on Kennesaw Mt,GA ~ World Bird Wednesday
Simply staggering Larry. Talk about staying out of mans way. I can see by the map of the jaegers habitat why it is such a rare sight. Your pictures are a consummate collection. Sounds like you had a fantastic time. I wish I could have seen your presentation on the Burrowing owl too. It’s a great work you are doing, many thanks!
You bet I enjoyed it!!! Love those superb underwing markings. What a treat for you and us.
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