Skuas and Jaegers
Skuas and Jaegers
Stercorariidae
The Pirates of the Skies: Skuas and Jaegers (Stercorariidae) are aggressive seabirds known for their relentless aerial attacks on other birds. These masters of piracy chase gulls, terns, and puffins, forcing them to drop their hard-earned meals—a behavior known as kleptoparasitism. Skuas, the larger members of the family, breed in the Arctic and Antarctic, with species like the South Polar Skua (Stercorarius maccormicki) even raiding penguin nests for eggs and chicks. Jaegers, the smaller and more agile relatives, such as the Long-tailed Jaeger (Stercorarius longicaudus), are long-distance migrants that breed in the tundra before heading out to sea. Despite their ruthless reputation, skuas and jaegers are skilled hunters, catching fish and small mammals when not stealing from others. Some species are highly territorial, attacking even humans who wander too close to their nests. Their populations are stable overall, though climate change is impacting their breeding grounds. As Arctic and Antarctic ecosystems shift, these fierce seabirds must adapt to a rapidly changing world.