The term “parasitic Jaeger” is derived from the behavior exhibited by these seabirds, which involves exploiting and benefiting from the efforts of other birds. The word “parasitic” is used in this context to describe the Jaeger’s strategy of relying on other birds to obtain food.
The Jaeger’s feeding behavior can be likened to that of a parasite, as it relies on the hard work and success of other seabirds to obtain its own food. Instead of hunting for food themselves, Jaegers engage in a form of kleptoparasitism, which involves stealing food from other birds.
When hunting, Jaegers often target other seabirds such as terns or gulls. They are highly skilled and agile fliers, capable of pursuing their targets with remarkable precision and speed. Using their acrobatic flight skills, they harass and chase their chosen prey until the bird regurgitates its recently caught meal. The Jaeger then swoops down and snatches the disgorged food out of the air, effectively stealing the hard-earned meal from the targeted bird.
This behavior is why they are called “parasitic” Jaegers. They rely on the efforts and success of other birds, essentially acting as parasites by taking advantage of their labor and stealing their food. This behavior has evoked mixed reactions from human observers, with some admiring the Jaeger’s agility and skill, while others view them as opportunistic and even cruel.
I have had the opportunity to witness this behavior firsthand while observing seabird colonies. It is truly a sight to behold as Jaegers engage in aerial pursuits, diving and weaving through the air to force other birds to disgorge their meals. Their tenacity and determination in pursuing their targets is both impressive and, in some ways, unsettling.
The term “parasitic Jaeger” is an apt description of these birds’ behavior, as it captures their reliance on others for food and their ability to exploit the efforts of other seabirds. Their skillful acrobatics and aggressive pursuit of their prey have rightly earned them their parasitic reputation.