Bird Description

Winter visitor from Europe. More common in n. Atlantic. Rarely comes close to boats. Most identified by season/probability. ID: Very similar to SPSK but larger, slimmer-bodied, longer tail and neck. Slimmer wings and rangier but more powerful looking bird. Usually warmer cinnamon brown than SPSK but difficult to see at distance. Some juvs duller and similar to SPSK. Underwing coverts have warmer brown feathers, often difficult to see. Upperparts usually show larger spots lacking uniform cold brown/gray of SPSK.