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Pomarine skua
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Today another upload from the arctic,a not so often seen bird (as well not that many on TN) in the svalbard area (as I have been told),the pomarine skua,we have seen them a few times near our vessel and they were often chasing the kittiwakes that were lots around a fascinating sight surely with all the pack ice around as in this capture,hope you like it and tfw
Pomarine Skua
The Pomarine Skua, Stercorarius pomarinus, known as Pomarine Jaeger in North America, is a seabird in the skua family Stercorariidae. Its relationships are not fully resolved; its mitochondrial DNA is most similar to the Great Skua [Blechschmidt et al., 1993], but from morphology and behavior, it is closer to the lesser skuas (such as the Arctic Skua). The most likely explanation is extensive hybridization between the Great and one species of lesser Skuas, which resulted in a hybrid population that eventually evolved into a distinct species, the Pomarine Skua; or alternatively between the Pomarine and a species of Southern Hemisphere skua, with the Great Skua being the hybrid offspring, perhaps appearing as recently as the 15th century [Blechschmidt et al., 1993; Furness and Hamer, 2003]. Judging from characteristics of the skeleton and behavior, the former seems more likely, as the Pomarine Skua shares several similarities with the "Catharacta" Skuas, while the Great Skua does not seem much different from its Southern Hemisphere relatives.
The mtDNA difference between the Pomarine and the Great Skua is one of the smallest between any two vertebrate species yet analyzed, being less than the variation found between different individuals of wide-spread species. The apparent capability for hybridization has led to the abolition of the separate genus Catharacta for the Southern Hemisphere and Great Skuas.
This species breeds in the far north of Eurasia and North America. It nests on Arctic tundra and islands, laying 2-3 olive-brown eggs in grass lined depressions. Like other skuas, it will fly at the head of a human or other intruder approaching its nest. Although it cannot inflict serious damage, the experience is frightening and painful. It is a migrant, wintering at sea in the tropical oceans. It has many harsh chattering calls and others which sounds like which-yew.
This bird feeds on lemmings and other rodents on the breeding grounds and also robs gulls, terns and even Gannets of their catches; it will also kill birds up to the size of Common Gull. Like most other skua species, it continues this piratical behaviour throughout the year, showing great agility as it harasses its victims.
This is a large skua at about 45cm length, excluding the central tail feathers of the summer adult, which can add another 10cm or so.
This is a large skua at about 45cm length, excluding the central tail feathers of the summer adult, which can add another 10cm or so.
Identification of this skua is complicated by its similarities to Arctic Skua and the existence of three colour phases. Pomarine Skuas are larger than Common Gulls. They are much bulkier, broader-winged and less falcon-like than Arctic Skua, but show the same wide range of plumage variation. The flight is more measured than that of the smaller species.
Light-phase adult Pomarine Skuas have a brown back, mainly white underparts and dark primary wing feathers with a white "flash". The head and neck are yellowish-white with a black cap. Dark-phase adults are dark brown, and intermediate phase birds are dark with somewhat paler underparts, head and neck. All phases have the white wing flash, which appears as a diagnostic double flash on the underwing. In breeding adults of all phases, the two central tail feathers are much longer than the others, spoon-shaped, and twisted from the horizontal.
Juveniles are even more problematic to identify, and are difficult to separate from Arctic Skua at a distance on plumage alone.
Etymology
It is from the French pomarin, shortening scientific Latin pomatorhinus, from Greek, meaning "having a covered nose". This refers to the cere—which the Pomarine Skua shares with the other skuas |
cataclysta, Kathleen, Argus, nglen, pekkavalo1, loot has marked this note useful
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Hi Paul
It is perfect. Beautiful shot. Great moment, perfect sharpness. The OOF ice and water in background looks fantastic
TFS
Krzysztof
Hi Paul.
Wonderful image. Beautiful flight shot and DOF in the background, still enough to see the environment of ice and water but shallow enough that the Pomarine Skua stands out against it. Beautifully sharp and exposed giving great detail.
Kathleen
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- Argus
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2770 W: 151 N: 7984]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(24857) - [2008-09-10 4:00]
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Hello Paul,
Great in-flight capture of a Pomarine Skua, a species I long to photograph. Excellent timing and sharpness, though I might have avoided the central composition.
TFS this fine image,
Ivan
Hi Paul
good shot of this jaeger in flight. We get them in southern Australia too during our summer, great bird.
great composition and sharpness; I like the background too.
Chris
- PeterZ
(9535)
- [2008-09-10 6:56]
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Hallo Paul,
Schitterende foto van deze Middelste Jager. Met schitterend bedoel ik vooral het prachtige licht en de mooie kleuren. Ook in de achtergrond. Onvoorstelbaar dat je bij 1/500 in dit licht zo veel scherpte en details in je foto hebt. Ook een mooie compositie.
Groeten,
Peter
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- izler
(8620)
- [2008-09-10 8:05]
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merhaba paul
wonderful capture of this beautiful bird while it was flying
i like dynamic composition, POV, DOF, light and details
TFS
regards
izler
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- nglen
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2130 W: 9 N: 5960]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(22528) - [2008-09-10 9:07]
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Hi Paul. I thought you would have some good bird pictures from your trip . This is a great inflight shot of the Skua . You had good timing to get this one over head. Good detail and a sence of speed. well done TFS. Good notes too.
Nick..
Hi Peter,
Very good in-flight capture of this Skua. Haven't been able to shoot any myself. Good composition and lighting, sharp details.
TFS
Pekka
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- loot
(9407)
- [2008-09-10 16:56]
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Hi Paul
Lovely action shot of this bird in flight. The slightly OOF iced seascape in the BG formed an interesting backdrop for this shot. Good sharp details and well balance contrasts displayed by this shot sure don't come accidentally, but is the mark of a skilled photographer.
Well done and TFS.
Regards
Loot
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- Bufo
(4241)
- [2008-09-11 7:18]
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Nee, dan deze....:-)
Van alle jagers op spitsbergen is de middelste misschien nog wel de meest zeldzame. Iets waar je wel een beetje geluk mee moet hebben is de achtergrond. Hier pakt het fantastisch uit. Gweldige foto!
groets,
Jacob
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- badar
(785)
- [2008-09-12 3:45]
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Hi Paul,
I like this POV, the background is lovely.
TFS
Badar
