Bird Gallery Index

Pomarine Jaeger (adult, light breeding plumage) image © David McDonald. Image taken at Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary May 3, 2008.

Family: (Laridae) Gulls, Terns and Allies

Preferred Habitat: Offshore over open water.

Seasonal Occurrence: Occasional spring through fall.

Notes: Jaegers are closely related to gulls. The name Jaeger, which is German for "hunter", is very apt, as they often chase gulls and other seabirds for their prey. Pomarine Jaegers are larger and stockier than Laughing Gulls and are usually seen well offshore. Adults occur in two plumage variations, light and dark. Most are light-plumaged. Dark adults are all black. Juveniles have brown plumage, with the hue ranging from quite light to very dark. According to David Sarkozi, one of the best ways to find jaegers is to look for shrimp boats which are accompanied by large flocks of gulls.
- Susan Billetdeaux

Pomarine Jaeger (first fall juvenile) image ©Bill Duke