Birds of the Pacific Northwest by Shewey John; Blount Tim;

Author:Shewey, John; Blount, Tim;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Timber Press, Incorporated
Published: 2017-04-07T04:00:00+00:00

Parasitic Jaeger range

Adult breeding Parasitic Jaeger in flight

ALCIDS, GULLS, TERNS, AND JAEGERS

Pomarine Jaeger (Stercorarius pomarinus)

Bulky and gull-like, the Pomarine Jaeger is the largest and most common jaeger found off the Northwest coast. Pelagic and rarely seen from shore, the Pomarine Jaeger is kleptoparasitic like the other members of the genus, meaning it routinely feeds by stealing fish and other prey from various other seabirds, harassing them until they disgorge their meals. This jaeger, however, will also catch its own fish and even preys on small seabirds, such as phalaropes.

LENGTH 20 inches. WINGSPAN 51 inches. ADULT BREEDING (March–November) Heavy, 2-toned bill; long, rounded, and twisted central tail feathers; white shafts in outer primaries. Morphs range from dark to light with most being light. Dark morph all dark. Light morph features dark cap; yellowish neck; dark breast band; broader wings than other jaegers; white belly. Adult nonbreeding seldom seen in the Northwest. JUVENILE Heavily barred in all plumages. VOICE Generally silent. BEHAVIORS Harasses other birds for food and also hunts fish and small seabirds; falconlike flight. HABITAT Pelagic. STATUS Fairly common migrant and summer visitor (March–September). Rare inland.

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