Arctic Jaeger (Stercorarius parasiticus) **
The Arctic Jaeger (Stercorarius parasiticus), also known as the Parasitic Jaeger or Arctic Skua, is a highly agile seabird renowned for its kleptoparasitic behavior—chasing gulls and terns to steal their food. It breeds in the Arctic tundra of Europe, Asia, and North America before migrating to tropical and southern oceans for the winter. Arctic Jaegers exhibit three color morphs—light, dark, and intermediate—each with distinctive plumage variations. With long, pointed wings and elongated central tail feathers, they are built for fast and acrobatic flight. Often seen offshore during migration, they are a rare but fascinating sight in regions like the UAE.
NOT EVALUATED | DATA DEFICIENT | LEAST CONCERN** | NEAR THREATENED | VULNERABLE | ENDANGERED | CRITICALLY ENDANGERED | EXTINCT IN THE WILD | EXTINCT |
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NE | DD | LC | NT | VU | EN | CR | EW | EX |