White eye ring on Great Skua (1 Viewer)

[Annerather]

Hi all,

I photographed this Great Skua yesterday (12/04) outside Dover harbour from the Dunkirk to Dover ferry. Whilst I'm pretty sure of the ID due to the white patches on the upper wings I am confused by the white rings around the eyes. I have not seen that in any Great Skua so far and also didn't find it in my field guides. Does anybody have an explanation of this?

 

[THE_FERN]

I agree it is great skua, although just the presence of the white patches isn't enough to rule out alternatives (but shape, colour, hefty bill etc confirm). The "eye ring" is muck, the lay of the feathering or something else like an injury and is just individual variation

 

[Annerather]

I agree it is great skua, although just the presence of the white patches isn't enough to rule out alternatives (but shape, colour, hefty bill etc confirm). The "eye ring" is muck, the lay of the feathering or something else like an injury and is just individual variation

Thanks. That confirms my assumption.