Parasitic Jaeger
Parasitic Jaeger Dark Morph: Medium jaeger with brown body, darker cap, and pale underwing patches near tips. Pale form has white underparts with brown breast band; intermediates between dark and light morphs occur. Diamond-shaped tail has elongated, pointed central feathers. Black bill, legs, feet.
● Song:
"skooo-a", "ka-aaow"
● Foraging & Feeding:
Parasitic Jaeger Dark Morph: Eats small and medium-sized birds, bird eggs, insects, fish, rodents, and carrion. Hunts cooperatively, with one chasing a bird near the ground while another flies above to intercept dodges; also, one distracts incubating parent while the other makes off with an egg. Sometimes harasses other birds, forcing them to release small fish or other food held in their bills or crops.
● Breeding & nesting:
Parasitic Jaeger Dark Morph: Two brown to green or blue eggs with brown spots are laid in a shallow ground depression lined with plant material. Incubation ranges from 25 to 28 days and is carried out by both parents.
● Similar species:
Parasitic Jaeger Dark Morph: Long-tailed Jaeger is pale gray above and lacks breast band. Pomarine Jaeger is larger and bulkier with rounded central tail feathers.