Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Long-tailed Jaeger
Scientific name:	Stercorarius longicaudus
Date:	08/18/2026
Time:	10:30
Length of time observed:	1 hr 30 min
Number:	1
Age:	Adult
Sex:	Unknown
Location:	Rockport Reservoir & SP
County:	Summit County
Latilong:	40.7614240, -111.3918919
Elevation:	6040 ft
Distance to bird:	1 mi
Optical equipment:	Kowa TSN-55A scope
Weather:	Partly cloudy
Light Conditions:	Bright, direct sunlight
Description: Size of bird:	Slightly smaller than neighboring California Gulls
(Description:) Basic Shape:	Almost tern-shaped, small head with slender body and tapered tail
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	Black cap that extended to nape and ended there; light, cream-colored collar and chest regions that transitioned into slaty, dark gray wings and body
(Description:) Bill Type:	Dainty, slender, black, much shorter than to be expected for a gull
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	Adult. Dark cap that covers eyes and extends down to nape; neck area is quite clean with a cream-colored front; slender slaty dark gray body with long, tapered tail. Picking its way along the receding shoreline, briefly seen alongside some other gulls. I thought this was a tern until it became very apparent that it was not. Bill is much shorter than what s to be expected for a tern and black in coloration. Shape is totally different from a tern once in flight. Just slightly smaller than surrounding CAGU. Squared tail with long middle projection. Got chased around by an immature BAEA for a second, demonstrating acrobatic flight pattern.
Song or call & method of delivery:	N/A
Behavior:	Hugged the shoreline as it foraged mostly on the exposed mudflats. Mostly seen solo or in the general vicinity of neighboring California Gulls, but did not heckle or interact with gulls. Was chased by a juvenile Bald Eagle for a moment!
Habitat:	Exposed mudflats, also seen floating on the reservoir close to the shoreline.
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Initially thought it was some kind of tern with the cap. Quickly ruled out Forster's Tern, Common Tern, and Caspian Tern based on bill shape and generally darker body coloration. The cream color also stood out quite a bit. Then narrowed down to Long-tailed vs. Parasitic Jaeger; clean, cream-colored collar, generally slender and acrobatic presentation, along with long projection from the squared tail quickly pointed to Long-tailed.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	This is my first time seeing the species in person. Wow!
References consulted:	More experienced birders than I (Bryant Olsen), Sibley guide, photo references. Called Wendy Sanborn back to my location once I spotted the jaeger and had her take a look, at which point she phoned in Dave Hanscom to get eyes on it as well.
Description from:	Notes taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	Yuanhang Zhao
Observer's address:
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	Bryant Olsen, Wendy Sanborn, Dave Hanscom
Date prepared:	08/18/26
Additional material:	[Photos by Ethan Eisenbarth]
Additional comments: