Pomarine Jaeger

Stercorarius pomarinus

Least ConcernUncommonVertebratesMarineScrapeLarge · 692 g

About the Pomarine Jaeger

The pomarine jaeger, pomarine skua, or pomatorhine skua, is a seabird in the skua family Stercorariidae. It is a migrant, wintering at sea in the tropical oceans.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

ID tip

This species ranges from 46 to 67 cm (18 to 26 in) in length, 110 to 138 cm (43 to 54 in) in wingspan and 540–920 g (1.19–2.03 lb) in weight. The upper limit of the length includes the elongated tail streamer of breeding adults, which is about 10 cm (3.9 in) in length. Identification of this jaeger is complicated by its similarities to parasitic jaeger and the existence of three morphs. Pomarine jaegers are larger than common gulls. They are much bulkier, broader-winged and less falcon-like than the parasitic jaeger, but show the same wide range of plumage variation.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where it lives

Regular rangeRare visitor

Recorded as a rare visitor in Mauritania, Algeria, Kenya, Jamaica, Turks & Caicos Islands, Bangladesh, Iran, Yemen, Jersey, Mauritius, Mayotte, São Tomé & Príncipe, Antigua & Barbuda, Curaçao, St. Barthélemy, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Vincent & Grenadines, Azerbaijan, Luxembourg, Tonga.

When to see it

Peak activity in September · a variable species across most of its range

Easily confused with

Side by side: Parasitic Jaeger vs Pomarine Jaeger · Long-tailed Jaeger vs Pomarine Jaeger · Great Skua vs Pomarine Jaeger

Learn the Pomarine Jaeger for real

BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.

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