Parasitic Jaeger

About the Parasitic Jaeger

A fast, powerful, piratical seabird, the Parasitic Jaeger earns its name by chasing terns and gulls in the air, harrying them until they drop or disgorge a meal it then snatches for itself. Dark-capped and falcon-like on pointed wings, with variable dark and light forms and pointed central tail feathers, it is built for the aerial chase.

Away from its Arctic breeding grounds, the Parasitic Jaeger lives at sea, following flocks of terns and gulls and taking fish, scraps, and stolen food.

In Texas it is a migrant and winter visitor to Gulf waters, seen offshore and sometimes from the coast as it pursues terns along the beaches and jetties, most often in fall and spring.

A note from behind the lens: watch for the commotion - a tern flock scattering in panic usually means a jaeger is on the hunt. Track the chase with a fast shutter, keep the bird against sky or water, and try to freeze that moment of aerial piracy.