Arctic Jaeger
Stercorarius parasiticus
Visual Identification
Appearance
The Arctic Jaeger is a medium-sized seabird with a streamlined body and pointed wings. It exhibits two colour morphs: light and dark. Light morphs have white underparts and dark grey-brown upperparts, while dark morphs are uniformly dark brown.
Both morphs feature distinctive white patches on the wings and elongated central tail feathers.
Both sexes have the same plumage, although females are typically 15 to 20 percent larger than males. Juveniles lack the long tail streamers and have more mottled plumage.
Size
Length
41cm to 46cm
Wingspan
110cm to 125cm
Weight
300g to 600g
Colours
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Brown Grey White
Secondary Colour
Black
Beak Colour
Black
Leg Colour
Black
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Arctic Jaegers breed in the Arctic tundra across northern Eurasia and North America. They prefer coastal areas and islands with low vegetation for nesting. During winter, they migrate to southern oceans, ranging widely across temperate and tropical seas.
In the UK, they can be observed breeding in northern Scotland and the Northern Isles. Outside the breeding season, they may be spotted along coastlines during migration.
Elevation Range
Sea level to 700 meters
Climate zones
Arctic, Subarctic, Temperate
Distribution Map
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Arctic Jaeger. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
- Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
- This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations
We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:
- More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
- How birds move around during different seasons
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
This feature is in beta. We'd love your feedback to improve it!
Share your thoughtsBird Attributes Explained
Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.
Attribute Categories:
- Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
- Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
- Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
- Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
- Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Understanding the Ratings:
- 0-20: Very Low
- 21-40: Low
- 41-60: Average
- 61-80: High
- 81-100: Very High
Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Agility
Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
The Arctic Jaeger demonstrates exceptional agility, performing acrobatic aerial pursuits and intricate flight manoeuvres. Their ability to chase and outmanoeuvre other seabirds in flight, reaching speeds of up to 60 km/h, showcases their remarkable aerial prowess.
Strength
Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
While not the strongest seabird, Arctic Jaegers possess considerable strength for their size. Their ability to harass and steal food from other birds, even larger species, indicates a good level of physical power. Their streamlined bodies and pointed wings contribute to their strength in flight.
Adaptability
Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Arctic Jaegers exhibit high adaptability, thriving in diverse environments from Arctic tundra to tropical seas. Their ability to switch between kleptoparasitic feeding and direct hunting, as well as their capacity to nest in various coastal habitats, demonstrates their adaptable nature.
Aggressiveness
Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
These birds are notably aggressive, particularly in their feeding strategy and territorial defence. Their kleptoparasitic behaviour, fierce defence of breeding territories, and willingness to dive-bomb intruders (including humans) all point to a high level of aggression.
Endurance
Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Arctic Jaegers display impressive endurance, undertaking long-distance migrations of over 14,000 km (8,700 miles) annually. Their ability to range widely across oceans and maintain high-energy pursuits of other birds for food indicates substantial stamina and resilience.
Diet
Arctic Jaegers primarily feed on fish, often stolen from other seabirds. They also hunt small birds, rodents, and insects during the breeding season. Their diet is supplemented with berries and other plant matter when available in their Arctic breeding grounds.
They are infamous for stealing food (kleptoparasitism) from other birds, harassing species like gulls in the air until they regurgitate their last meal, which the nimble Jaeger snatches mid-air or from the water below.
Behaviour
Arctic Jaegers are known for their aggressive kleptoparasitic behaviour. They often chase other seabirds to steal their food. They are highly manoeuvrable in flight and perform acrobatic aerial pursuits.
During the breeding season, they fiercely defend their territories, dive-bombing intruders, including humans.
Vocalisation
Arctic Jaegers have a variety of calls, including a sharp, repeated 'kee-ow' during territorial displays. When pursuing other birds, they emit a rapid series of 'kip-kip-kip' sounds. During courtship, pairs produce soft mewing calls. They are usually silent away from their breeding grounds.
Nesting & Breeding
Arctic Jaegers form monogamous pairs and breed during the short Arctic summer. They typically arrive at breeding grounds in May or June. Courtship involves aerial displays and ground ceremonies.
Nests are simple scrapes on the ground, often on slightly elevated areas. Females lay 1-2 olive-green eggs with dark spots. Both parents share incubation duties.
The incubation period lasts about 25-28 days. Chicks fledge after 25-30 days but remain dependent on parents for several more weeks.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
While currently listed as Least Concern, Arctic Jaegers face threats from climate change affecting their Arctic breeding grounds. Ocean pollution and overfishing can impact their food sources.
Conservation efforts focus on protecting breeding habitats and maintaining healthy marine ecosystems.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Arctic Jaegers along coastlines during migration periods
- Observe their distinctive flight pattern with rapid wingbeats and glides
- Watch for their kleptoparasitic behaviour as they chase other seabirds
- In the UK, visit northern Scotland or the Shetland Islands during summer for breeding populations
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
Parasitic Jaeger, Arctic Skua
Family:
StercorariidaeAverage Lifespan
12 years
Max Lifespan
31.1 years [4]
Predators
Adult Arctic Jaegers have few natural predators, but eggs and chicks are vulnerable to Arctic foxes, large gulls, and occasionally snowy owls.
Did You Know?
- Arctic Jaegers can fly at speeds of up to 60 km/h when chasing other birds.
- They can travel over 14,000 km (8,700 miles) during their annual migration.
- Their scientific name, 'parasiticus', refers to their kleptoparasitic feeding behaviour.
FAQs
Is a Parasitic Jaeger a primary or secondary consumer?
Parasitic Jaegers are tertiary consumers on the food chain. These birds eat some plant material, some animals that eat plants, and some animals that eat other animals.
References
- 1 2 3
website: BirdLife International. 2018. Stercorarius parasiticus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22694245A132535550.
View source - 4
website, 2010: Fransson et al., EURING list of longevity records for European birds
View source
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