Arctic Jaeger Bird Facts (Stercorarius parasiticus)

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.

The Arctic Jaeger is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

The Arctic Jaeger is not typically found in Garden habitats.

The Arctic Jaeger is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

The Arctic Jaeger can be found in Coastal habitats.

The Arctic Jaeger is not typically found in Urban habitats.

The Arctic Jaeger is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

The Arctic Jaeger is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

The Arctic Jaeger is not typically found in Desert habitats.

The Arctic Jaeger can be found in Tundra habitats.

The Arctic Jaeger is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

The Arctic Jaeger is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

The Arctic Jaeger is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

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.

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

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season

Faroe Islands Greenland Iceland Norway Russia Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands United States of America

This feature is in beta. We'd love your feedback to improve it!

Share your thoughts

Bird 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Arctic Jaeger typically lives for 12 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 31.1 years.

Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.

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.

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

Adult Arctic Jaegers have few natural predators, but eggs and chicks are vulnerable to Arctic foxes, large gulls, and occasionally snowy owls.

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.

Already have an account?

0/500 characters (minimum 20 required)

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.

Visual Identification

Appearance

Size

Colours

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Distribution

Elevation Range

Climate zones

Distribution Map

Distribution by Region

Get Bird Updates in Your Inbox

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

Bird Attributes Explained

Attribute Categories:

Understanding the Ratings:

Agility

Strength

Adaptability

Aggressiveness

Endurance

Diet

Behaviour

Vocalisation

Nesting & Breeding

Lifespan

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Population Data

Rarity Index

Birdwatching Tips

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Family:

Predators

Did You Know?

Was this bird profile helpful?

Community Experience

Community Ratings

Latest Community Reviews

No reviews yet

Community Reviews

Create Your Free Account Welcome Back!

Rate Arctic Jaeger

FAQs

Is a Parasitic Jaeger a primary or secondary consumer?

References