Species Profile
Long-tailed Jaeger
Stercorarius longicaudus
Long-Tailed Jaeger
Quick Facts
Conservation
LCLeast ConcernLifespan
15–20 years
Length
48–58 cm
Weight
230–350 g
Wingspan
105–117 cm
Migration
Long-distance Migrant
Also known as: Long-tailed Skua
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Appearance
The Long-tailed Jaeger is characterized by its sleek, gull-like body with long, pointed wings and an extremely elongated central tail feather. Adults display a pale gray body, white underparts, and a distinctive black cap contrasting with white cheeks. The bill is brown at the base, darkening to a hooked black tip.
In breeding plumage, adults have a yellowish hue on the neck. Juveniles and non-breeding adults lack the long tail streamers and have a more mottled brown appearance, with barred underparts.
Females and males are similar in both basic and alternate plumages, although females are slightly darker.
Identification & Characteristics
Colors
- Primary
- Grey
- Secondary
- Black
- Beak
- Black
- Legs
- Black
Attributes
Understanding Attributes
Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Habitat & Distribution
Long-tailed Jaegers breed in the Arctic tundra across North America, Europe, and Asia. They prefer open, treeless areas with low vegetation for nesting. During the non-breeding season, they become pelagic, spending most of their time in the open ocean.
In winter, they migrate to tropical and subtropical waters of the Southern Hemisphere. They can be observed along coastal areas of the UK and North America during migration periods.
Distribution
Diet
Long-tailed Jaegers are opportunistic feeders. They primarily consume small rodents like lemmings, especially collared lemmings, which are essential during the breeding season. Young birds and some insects are also eaten.
They feed on fish at sea, often obtained by harassing other seabirds to steal their catch, and waste from ships may also be eaten. They also eat insects, berries, and bird eggs when available.
Behaviour
Long-tailed Jaegers are known for their graceful, buoyant flight. They often hover and glide low over the tundra while foraging.
During the breeding season, they fiercely defend their territories, performing elaborate aerial displays and aggressive dives to ward off intruders.
Calls & Sounds
Long-tailed Jaegers have a variety of vocalizations, including a shrill ‘krii-krii-krii’ call, consisting of around 20 short, long and then short notes, lasting for around 10 seconds. It is usually heard as a contact call around other long-tailed jaegers.
When alarmed, they produce a rapid series of 'kip-kip-kip' or 'kweek' notes. During courtship, pairs may engage in duets of soft, purring sounds.
Nesting & Breeding
Long-tailed Jaegers form monogamous pairs and begin breeding in late spring. They engage in elaborate courtship displays, including aerial acrobatics and ground-based rituals.
Nests are simple scrapes on the ground, often on slightly elevated areas in the tundra. Females typically lay two olive-brown eggs with dark spots. Both parents share incubation duties.
The incubation period lasts about 23-25 days, and chicks fledge after 22-27 days. Young birds reach sexual maturity at 3-4 years of age.
Conservation
While currently listed as Least Concern, Long-tailed Jaegers face potential threats from climate change affecting their Arctic breeding grounds. Oil spills and marine pollution in their wintering areas also pose risks. Ongoing monitoring is crucial to assess long-term population trends.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for their distinctive long tail streamers during the breeding season
- Observe their graceful flight patterns over open tundra or at sea
- Listen for their harsh, mewing calls during territorial displays
- In North America, watch for them during fall migration along coastal areas
Did You Know?
- Long-tailed Jaegers can fly up to 70 mph during high-speed chases.
- They have been recorded to travel over 14,000 miles in a year during migration.
- Unlike most seabirds, they spend their first two years of life entirely at sea.
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