Scientific Name: Stercorarius parasiticus
Malay Name: Camar-Lanun Paruh Lampai
Chinese Name: 短尾贼鸥
Alternative Name(s): Parasitic Skua
Range: Breeds in the Arctic region and winters south in the temperate and tropical oceans.
Taxonomy: Monotypic.
Size: 42-54.5 cm
Identification: Smaller than the similar looking Pomarine Jaeger. Lacks the twisted central tail feathers in the adult breeding plumage unlike the Pomarine Jaeger. In all plumages, the white feather bases to the primaries gives a "single flash" impression.
Similar looking species: Pomarine Jaeger, Long-tailed Jaeger
Habitat: Open seas.
Behaviour/Ecology: A pelagic species often observed engaging in kleptoparasitism, a behaviour where they snatch food from other less aggressive pelagic birds such as terns.
Local Status: Rare migrant
Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2018)
- Bird List Revision for May 2019 (Revisions)
- Pelagic Bird Survey to the Horsburgh Lighthouse – 29 April 2017 (Trip Reports)
Migrant bar chart (see more bar charts):
Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page
Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link
Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link
eBird Species page: eBird (Parasitic Jaeger)
References:
BirdLife International. (2018). Stercorarius parasiticus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22694245A132535550.en. Accessed on 1 January 2023
Robson, C. (2014). Field guide to the birds of South-East Asia (Second Edition). Bloomsbury Publishing, London.
RECOMMENDED CITATION
Bird Society of Singapore. (n.d.). Parasitic Jaeger. Retrieved on December 7, 2024 from https://singaporebirds.com/species/parasitic-jaeger.