Parasitic Jaeger

Stercorarius parasiticus

Págalo Parásito

Song

Parasitic Jaeger

Appearance: The Parasitic Jaeger is a medium to large seabird with a robust build, long wings, and a deeply forked tail. Breeding adults display a dark brown plumage with a paler head and underparts. They also have conspicuous white wing patches that are prominent in flight. Non-breeding individuals and juveniles have a more mottled brown and gray plumage.

Habitat: Parasitic Jaegers breed in the Arctic and subarctic regions of North America, Europe, and Asia, on open tundra, rocky cliffs, and islands near the coast. During the non-breeding season, they undertake long migrations and can be found at sea, often far from land in pelagic waters.

Behavior: They are skilled aerial predators and scavengers. They are known for their aggressive behavior, often engaging in kleptoparasitism by chasing and harassing other seabirds to steal their food. They have a swift and agile flight, capable of diving and maneuvering to catch fish and other prey items near the water's surface.

Breeding: Parasitic Jaegers form monogamous pairs during the breeding season. They build simple nests on the ground or on rocky outcrops. Females lay one to two eggs, which are incubated by both parents. The chicks are precocial, hatching covered in down and able to feed themselves shortly after.

Conservation Status: Similar to the Long-tailed Jaeger, the Parasitic Jaeger is not known to breed in Colombia or other tropical regions. Its breeding range is concentrated in the Arctic and subarctic regions, and it migrates long distances to winter at sea in the southern oceans.

Distribution

The Parasitic Jaeger is an Arctic and subarctic breeding seabird species, with a circumpolar distribution across the Northern Hemisphere. The Parasitic Jaeger is not a resident breeding species and is not typically found in the country's regions due to its Arctic breeding range and migratory behavior that takes it far out to sea and to southern oceans during non-breeding periods.

Absence of Breeding: The Parasitic Jaeger does not breed in Colombia or other tropical regions. Its breeding range is restricted to Arctic and subarctic regions in North America, Europe, and Asia. The species nests in open tundra, rocky cliffs, and coastal islands in high-latitude areas far from tropical regions like Colombia.

Migratory Behavior: During the non-breeding season, Parasitic Jaegers undertake long migrations, spending time at sea in open waters. They can be found in pelagic zones far from land. Parasitic Jaegers are more commonly seen over marine environments or offshore areas during their migration southward.

Occasional Sightings: While the Parasitic Jaeger is not a resident species in Colombia, there may be occasional sightings of individuals along the country's coastlines during migration or dispersal events. Such sightings are sporadic and transient, as the species' primary habitats and breeding grounds are far removed from Colombia's tropical and coastal regions.

Taxonomy

The Parasitic Jaeger (Stercorarius parasiticus)

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves (Birds)
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Stercorariidae
Genus: Stercorarius
Species: Stercorarius parasfiticus

Vocalization

Calls: The vocal repertoire of the Parasitic Jaeger includes a variety of calls, each serving different purposes. One of the most common calls is a harsh, guttural croaking sound. During the breeding season, Parasitic Jaegers may emit a series of yapping calls that are believed to be associated with territorial defense or pair bonding. When engaged in kleptoparasitic behavior (stealing food from other seabirds), the Parasitic Jaeger may produce aggressive calls and vocalizations to intimidate and signal dominance.

Flight Calls: While in flight, Parasitic Jaegers often vocalize with high-pitched, piercing calls. These flight calls are believed to help maintain contact between individuals within the species.The flight calls of Parasitic Jaegers are short and sharp, carrying over long distances in open marine environments where these birds spend a significant portion of their time.

Communication: Vocalizations play a crucial role in communicating information about territory, courtship, and warning signals among Parasitic Jaegers. By vocalizing, individuals can maintain contact with their mates, offspring, and other conspecifics in the breeding colonies or during foraging flights at sea.

Variability: The vocalizations of Parasitic Jaegers can vary depending on the context, individual bird, and social interactions. Some calls may be more aggressive or territorial, while others may be used for courtship and pair bonding.