Seabird sampler

  

Here's a sampling of seabirds we encountered in Iceland.  Most of these photos were taken on the ferry to/from Heimaey except as noted.

Above, a Sooty Shearwater (Ardenna grisea), and below a Sooty Shearwater on the left and a Manx Shearwater (Puffinus puffinus) on the right.  Note the size and color differences (the Manx Shearwater is smaller with black above and white below):

 

 

 

 

 

Adult Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) with a fish...

 

and a juvenile Atlantic Puffin:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Immature Black-legged Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla)...

 

and an adult kittiwake flying by an iceberg at the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon:

 

 

 

 

 Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) in Reykjavík.

 

 

 

 

Northern Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis) soaring on updrafts along the cliffs. 

 

 

Great Skua (Stercorarius skua) high above the harbor on Heimaey.

 

 

Arctic Terns (Sterna paradisaea)

It was fun to see some familiar faces in a new setting — many of these species can also be seen off Bodega Head — as well as some species I haven't seen in a while (e.g., Atlantic Puffin, Black-headed Gull, and Great Skua).

The marauder

 

I joined a pelagic trip to Bodega Canyon and Cordell Bank today aboard the New Sea Angler.  It was a bit rough, but we made it out there thanks to Rick and saw some seabirds and marine mammals along the way. 

Above, a South Polar Skua (Stercorarius maccormicki) approaches the boat.  Note the overall dark coloration and the white wing markings.  The white markings are subtle when viewed from this angle, but I liked the head-on perspective.

More offshore highlights to come this week!

P.S. Happy Fall!

 

White wing flashes

 

South Polar Skua (Stercorarius maccormicki) near Cordell Bank, 20 August 2017 

For a little more information about skuas, check out the post called "Pirates and marauders" from 31 October 2012.

 

Out at sea

A few more of the seabirds observed during the boat trip to Bodega Canyon/Cordell Bank on 9 October 2016:

 

Black-vented Shearwater (Puffinus opisthomelas)

 

Red Phalaropes (Phalaropus fulicarius) 

 

South Polar Skua (Stercorarius maccormicki) 

 

Cassin's Auklet (Ptychoramphus aleuticus)

 

Rhinoceros Auklets (Cerorhinca monocerata)

 

Tufted Puffin (Fratercula cirrhata)

We saw three different puffins that day — a good number for this area.  Overall numbers of birds were relatively low, but the diversity of species was decent.

Pirates and marauders

 

Often a feature on late fall pelagic trips — this is a South Polar Skua (Stercorarius maccormicki).  The common name is meaningful.  This species nests on Antarctic coasts and offshore islands and then makes a clockwise migration around the Pacific Ocean via Japan, across to British Columbia and Washington, then down to California and back to Antarctica!

Here's a view of a different individual from the side.  Most of these photos were taken on 26 October 2012.

 

Skuas can appear gull-like at first, but note their robust, barrel-chested appearance, the thick neck, prominent hook at the tip of the bill, overall dark coloration, and bold white wing flashes.

If seen well, you may also catch a glimpse of the strongly hooked claws on their webbed feet.  The next photo isn't great, but the claws are quite visible.

 

Older birds often have light-colored feathers on their napes or hindnecks (they may appear golden).

 

The white flashes showing on both sides of their wings are due to bold white patches at the bases of the primary feathers.  Three individuals below illustrate how the wing patches look from different angles.

 

 

 

I've wondered about the purpose of these white wing patches.  I read one account that suggested skuas have a spread-wing display during the breeding season.  Perhaps a strong white flash attracts attention or sends some sort of message?

Skuas are known for being "pirates" and "marauders" (see Rich Stallcup's wonderful description of South Polar Skuas in his book, Ocean Birds of the Nearshore Pacific).  They are kleptoparasites, harrassing other birds (e.g., shearwaters or gulls) until they drop or regurgitate their food.  

On fall pelagic trips when gulls are following the boat, it's not uncommon to see a skua heading straight for the flock from very far away.  When within range, they start diving after the gulls (see next photo of a skua chasing an immature gull).

 

Skuas have an intense aura about them.  Just seeing one gives you the feeling that something serious is going to happen.  They're on a mission; I'm just glad I'm not the one they're focused on!