Name that bird!

spartacus · 10 August 2008, 10:28

Came across this bird in West Loch Roag, Lewis, Outer Hebrides, a few days ago. Would I be right in thinking it's an immature skua? Had half my ham sandwich when I was out fishing!

spartacus · 10 August 2008, 10:47

High resolution version - at a different angle.

willk · 10 August 2008, 12:30

A quick look in the RSPB Birds of Britain & Europe suggests a Great Skua? Colour/markings are about right. Feeds on eggs and carrion....

...was it an Egg & Ham sandwich?

jwalker · 10 August 2008, 14:23

Yea it's a Great Skua (as distinct from the Arctic Skua). Usually seen harrying seaguls to cause them to regurgitate or drop their food. The Skua often catches it before it hits the water. Also being blamed on St. Kilda for reducing the Leaches Petrel population by scoffing them at night.

Gentiana · 10 August 2008, 14:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwalker

Yea it's a Great Skua (as distinct from the Arctic Skua). Usually seen harrying seaguls to cause them to regurgitate or drop their food. The Skua often catches it before it hits the water. Also being blamed on St. Kilda for reducing the Leaches Petrel population by scoffing them at night.

- Known over here as shitehawks

willk · 10 August 2008, 15:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwalker

Usually seen harrying seaguls to cause them to regurgitate or drop their food. The Skua often catches it before it hits the water.

I think we need more details, Spartacus. Had you already eaten the Ham Sandwich?... and if so/not, did the bird thingy catch it before it hit the water?

spartacus · 10 August 2008, 15:12

Quote:

I think we need more details, Spartacus. Had you already eaten the Ham Sandwich?... and if so/not, did the bird thingy catch it before it hit the water?

It was in the water at the time. It didn't even have to break sweat for its supper. Bit like a sea drive-in Macdonalds. Pity I couldn't get some scale, but it was slightly smaller than a black backed gull.

Bigmuz7 · 10 August 2008, 21:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by spartacus

It was in the water at the time. It didn't even have to break sweat for its supper. Bit like a sea drive-in Macdonalds. Pity I couldn't get some scale, but it was slightly smaller than a black backed gull.

I watched 2 terns diving one of them 2 weeks ago which I thought was strange.. and on another trip one tried to land on my head in a small bay that sent the alfred hithcocks up me... brrrrrr

jyasaki · 11 August 2008, 16:53

I was going to say "Fred".

jky