New England Seabirds

Jaegers and Skuas|Long-tailed Jaeger Search |Help | Comments | Site Map Long-tailed Jaeger Stercorarius longicaudus Breeding plumage Long-tailed Jaeger photographed in Nome, alaska by Emmalee Tarry Other Names Long-tailed Skua (Europe) Distribution Northern hemisphere breeder on arctic trundra. Circumpolar in the arctic with the exception of area from Greenland to the Murman Peninsula of north Russia (3).When not breeding migrates to the southern oceans. Breeding Characteristics Breeds on tundra. Exhibits mate and site fidelity. On breeding ground feeds on lemmings. Switches to other prey when lemmings are scarce in the breeding site. Feeding Feeds on rodents especially lemmings which it hunts by hovering on breeding grounds. Also insects, berries, chicks and eggs of other birds. Also preys on small birds both on the breeding grounds and at sea. At sea practices kleptoparasitism especially on Kittiwakes. Where To See Rarely seen on Stellwagen Bank pelagic trips usually in fall. Not easy to identify as it will usually be an immature bird. More likely on west coast pelagic trips. To see the bird on the breeding grounds go to Nome, Alaska. Pelagic Identification Long-tailed Jaeger photographed by Dave Larson. Long-tailed Jaeger photographed by Dave Larson. Great Skua | South Polar Skua | Pomarine Jaeger | Parasitic Jaeger | Long-tailed Jaeger