The Parasitic Jaeger is the most commonly encountered jaeger in North American coastal waters, where it aggressively chases terns and gulls to steal their food — a strategy called kleptoparasitism. It comes in light and dark color morphs. The central tail feathers of adults project into sharp points. It breeds on arctic tundra where it actively hunts lemmings and birds.
Best time to see a Parasitic Jaeger
The best time to see a Parasitic Jaeger is June–September, when about 60% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 1,123 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
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