We can't let the shorebird oficionados have all the fun so here's one for the seabird-o-phyles like me.
This image made on 22 September 2009 at Deer Island, New Brunswick (east coast, Canada, Bay of Fundy).
What species is this and why?
seabird- what is it?
We can't let the shorebird oficionados have all the fun so here's one for the seabird-o-phyles like me.
This image made on 22 September 2009 at Deer Island, New Brunswick (east coast, Canada, Bay of Fundy).
What species is this and why?
Looks like a Leach's Storm-petrel to me because of the grayish upperwings.
Agree with Axel,
Also in Sibley Wilson's is shown with much more white on the undertail.
Don't see the notch on the tail in this pose. The feet are not projecting pass the tail too.
Axel do you mean "greyish" rather some other lighter tone or just that the bird shows lighter tone on the upper wing?Originally Posted by Axel Hildebrandt
Band-rumped Storm-Petrel? No notch in tail or white band and no feet projection.
Leach's Storm Petrel because the white rump patch does not extend down the sides of the rump?
Hi all,
I have just spent a week observing tens of thousands of Leach's Storm Petrels. I checked them all looking for a late Wilson's,which is practically never seen from land in Newfoundland. It is well known amoung Nfld birders that October Nor easters bring Leach's Storm Petrels and Jaegers into sheltered bays and some harbours.
If you look at this birds tail closely you can see the pointed corners. Leach's tail tend to cup in flight and when viewed from side on you can see the pointed outer tail feathers.I'd bet anything that this bird had a forked tail.
Dave
PS: I think this bird was photographed in New Brunswick- Band-rumped is perhaps unrecorded there,or if it is then it is extremely rare.
Dave Brown
Great. You guys nailed it. Leach's Storm-Petrel it is.
Seabirds are the most mobile birds on the planet and what makes watching them so interesting is that rarities turn up a long way from home base. Every individual is worth a look in case it is not what you expected.
On the northeast coast of North America we have two species of storm-petrels that are likely- Leach's and Wilson's. Wilson's is one of several southern hemisphere breeding seabirds that migrate up to our waters and spend the southern winter in the northern summer. So both species can be seen up here in the summer months.
If you see them live, I find the best way to tell them apart is by overall look and flight pattern but in an image you have to resort to specific field marks. For me what stands out in this image the short feet which only extend a little past the base of the tail. This is a good field mark for Leach's. Wilson's have long feet which extend past the end of the tail. This image also shows the dark undertail of the Leach's compared to a white undertail for the Wilson's.
Thanks for cupped tail hint Dave.
We will have to get more difficult next time. Scour your image archives for candidates!
John,
I should note that the cupped feature isn;t diagnostic of Leach's,but it can cause a Leach's to look as though it doesn't have a forked tail. Wilson's and Band-rumped can show that cupped appearance at times as well but seem to lack the obvious pointy corners.
Tail shape can often be diffidult to see on distant birds,in bad weather etc. Smaller size,different shaped wings and flight pattern will be good clues if amoungst Leach's.Then other things that have been mentiond alerady, such as amount of white pouring over rear flanks into the undertail coverts and behind the legs,legs extending beyonf tail etc.
Dave
Thanks Dave. I'll keep that in mind.
If people want more seabird quizzes, I can definitely oblige. I am one of the leaders for Brian Patteson's pelagic trips off North Carolina and after 75+ trips have a bazillion photos that would make for good quiz material.
Sure, sounds like a good idea to me!
Sounds good to me.
Ok, I'll post one tonight when I get home.
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