Parasitic Jaeger

This species is defined as a Review Species . Please submit your records of this species via our record submission page .

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)

Past records in our database:

Showing only accepted records. Note that records currently under review are also not displayed, and the list may not be a full list of records of this species in Singapore. For more details, check the database here.

Migrant bar chart (see more bar charts):

Parasitic Jaeger Stercorarius parasiticus
Average number of individuals by week based on Singapore Bird Database data, Jul 2013 to Jun 2023 (all records)
Peak week Oct 08-Oct 14
Early date 14 Oct 2018
Late date 08 May 2021
A pelagic trip in October would be the best way to find one of these, but many recent sightings have come from outside Singapore's territorial waters.
Parasitic Jaeger at Singapore Strait. Photo credit: Francis Yap
Parasitic Jaeger at Singapore Strait. Photo Credit: Con Foley
Parasitic Jaeger at Singapore Strait. Photo credit: Francis Yap
Parasitic Jaeger at Singapore Strait. Photo credit: Francis Yap
Parasitic Jaeger at Singapore Strait. Photo Credit: Con Foley

External Links:

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 April 20, 2024 from https://singaporebirds.com/species/parasitic-jaeger.

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