Pomarine Jaeger

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

Scientific Name: Stercorarius pomarinus

Malay Name: Camar-Lanun Ekor Sudu

Chinese Name: 中贼鸥

Alternative Name(s): Pomarine Skua

Range: Breeds in the Arctic region and winters south in the temperate and tropical oceans.

Taxonomy: Monotypic.

Size: 47-61.5 cm

Identification: The biggest of the three jaegers. Has distinct twisted central tail feathers in the adult breeding plumage. In all plumages, the white feather bases to the primaries and primary coverts gives a "double flash" impression.

Similar looking species: Parasitic 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: Vagrant

Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2018)

Featured articles:

Past records in our database:

Showing only accepted records. Records currently under review are also not displayed. For a full list, click here.

Migrant bar chart (see more bar charts):

Pomarine Skua at Singapore Strait. Photo Credit: Con Foley
Pomarine Skua 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 (Pomarine Jaeger)

References:

BirdLife International. (2018). Stercorarius pomarinus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22694240A132534251.en. Accessed on 1 January 2023

Robson, C. (2014). Field guide to the birds of South-East Asia (Second Edition). Bloomsbury Publishing, London.

Eaton, J. A., van Balen, S., Brickle, N. W., & Rheindt, F. E. (2021). Birds of the Indonesian Archipelago: Greater Sundas and Wallacea (Second Edition). Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.

RECOMMENDED CITATION

Singapore Birds Project. (n.d.). Pomarine Jaeger. Retrieved on May 26, 2023 from https://singaporebirds.com/species/pomarine-jaeger.