Parasitic Jaeger – Stercorarius parasiticus

The parasitic jaeger is also known as the arctic skua or parasitic skua. This is a seabird in the skua family Stercorariidae.

This species breeds in the north of Eurasia and North America, with significant populations as far south as northern Scotland.

Light-morph adults have a brown back, mainly white underparts and dark primary wing feathers with a white “flash”. The head and neck are yellowish-white with a black cap and there is a pointed central tail projection. Dark-morph adults are dark brown and intermediate-phase birds are dark with some paler underparts, head and neck. All morphs have the white wing flash.

It nests on dry tundra, higher fells and islands, laying up to four olive-brown eggs. It is usually silent except for mewing and wailing . Like other skuas, it will fly at the head of a human or fox approaching its nest. Although it cannot inflict serious damage, it is a frightening and painful experience. It is a migrant, wintering at sea in the tropics and southern océans.