Skuas and jaegers – Order: Charadriiformes Family: Stercorariidae. The family Stercorariidae are, in general, medium to large birds, typically with grey or brown plumage, often with white markings on the wings. They nest on the ground in temperate and arctic regions and are long-distance migrants.
Fun Fact 1: Thieves of the Avian World
These seabirds are known for their kleptoparasitic behavior, meaning they often steal food from other seabirds like gulls, terns, and even penguins. They’re incredibly agile flyers, and they use their speed and agility to harass other birds until they drop their catch, which the skuas and jaegers then snatch up for themselves. It’s like they’re the pirates of the avian world!
Skuas and Jaegers of Fiji
South Polar Skua
The South Polar Skua is a robust seabird with cold-brown plumage and white wing flashes. Often seen alone or resting near shearwaters, it chases other seabirds to steal food. Some have pale blond, whitish, or straw-brown heads and underparts. Listen to the Birdsong
Pomarine Jaeger
The Pomarine Jaeger is the largest jaeger, resembling a bulky gull. Breeding adults have spoon-shaped central tail feathers, dark upperparts, a messy black cap and white wing flashes. Immature birds are usually barred brown with bold black-and-white markings beneath the wings and tail. Listen to the Birdsong
Parasitic Jaeger
The Parasitic Jaeger is a mid-sized, slender gull-like seabird. Breeding adults have pointed tails and plumage ranging from dark brown to pale, with white bellies and yellowish neck sides. Immature birds are warm brown with cinnamon barring, white wing shafts and slender bills. Listen to the Birdsong
Long-tailed Jaeger
The Long-tailed Jaeger is a slender, gull-like seabird with an exceptionally long pointed tail. Adults have a brownish back, dark flight feathers, black cap and pale yellow neck sides. Immature birds show scaly wings and vary from dark brown to pale grayish-white. Listen to the Birdsong
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- Burke, A. (2021, July 21). Parasitic Jaeger (Stercorarius parasiticus) [Audio]. Macaulay Library. Retrieved from Link
- Coin, Patrick. “Pomarine Jaeger.” Photograph. Wikipedia. Accessed June 25, 2024. Link
- Del Hoyo, J. (2015, April 26). Pomarine Jaeger (Stercorarius pomarinus) [Video]. Macaulay Library. Retrieved from Link
- Garrett, J. (2022, June 6). Long-tailed Jaeger (Stercorarius longicaudus) [Video]. Macaulay Library. Retrieved from Link
- Jimenez, D. (2019, June 4). Parasitic Jaeger (Stercorarius parasiticus) [Video]. Macaulay Library. Retrieved from Link
- Johnson, T. (2018, June 23). Pomarine Jaeger (Stercorarius pomarinus) [Audio]. Macaulay Library. Retrieved from Link
- Legovini, Paride. “South Polar Skua.” Photograph. Wikipedia. Accessed June 25, 2024. Link
- Shyamal, L. “Parasitic Jaeger.” Photograph. Wikipedia. Accessed June 25, 2024. Link
- Spencer, A. (2015, February 18). South Polar Skua (Stercorarius maccormicki) [Audio]. Macaulay Library. Retrieved from Link
- Strzelecki, Jerzy. 2019. “Long-tailed Jaeger.” Image. November 9. Wikipedia. Accessed June 24, 2024. Link