English and Scientific names:	Parasitic Jaeger (Stercorarius parasiticus)
Number of individuals:	1 dark morph (age?)
Locality: LOUISIANA:	Cameron
Specific Locality:	East Jetty Beach, ca. 2 mi. S of Cameron (seen from shore)
Date(s) when observed:	3 December 2006
Time(s) of day when observed:	~3:45 PM
Reporting observer and address:	Devin Bosler Baton Rouge, LA
Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s):	Justin Bosler
Other observers who independently identified the bird(s)	none
Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light):	partly cloudy, fairly good afternoon light (viewing opposite sun angle)
Optical equipment:	Nikon Monarch 8x42, Nikon Venturer LX 8x32
Distance to bird(s):	.25-.5 miles out (~600-800 meters)
Duration of observation:	~5 minutes
Habitat:	semi-pelagic (Gulf of Mexico), open water near shore (neritic zone)
Behavior of bird:	in flight, harassing gulls
Description:	An all dark sooty-brown jaeger with a bold white crescent on the distal third of the underwings, the jaeger coursed falcon-like above the gulf, the wing beats were shallow and in rapid succession, with each turn the fanned-tail was visible, showing two slightly elongated central retrices, this was a very dark, thin-winged jaeger that was very agile and graceful in its piratic mannerisms and not much larger/bulkier than the nearby laughing gulls... The jaeger was almost jet black in coloration overall, except for the whitish base to the undersides of the primaries (seen well when the jaeger banked away revealing its ventral profile). The bird appeared to have no white flecking or markings on the primary coverts or the secondaries. The underwings were identical in color to the flanks and body; all sooty black. The bill was barely evident at this distance, the size was difficult to determine as the bird moved with great speed in chase-like posture, however it seemed rather thin, roughly similar in size to Ring-billed Gull or Laughing Gull of whom it was frequently attacking.
Voice:	N/A
Similar species:	pomarine jaeger is notably more robust and "deep" chested with a larger/thicker bill and exhibits a slower flight style with deeper, less rapid wing beats
Photographs or tape recordings obtained?	no
Previous experience with this species:	moderate experience
Identification aids:	at time of observation: none after observation: Sibley Guide to Birds, Seabirds
This description is written from:	notes from time of observation and memory
Are you positive of your identification? If not, explain:	yes
Reporter:	Devin Bosler
Date and time:	8 December 2006, 1:15 AM