Arctic Skua on nest
Stercorarius parasiticus

f5 @ 1/1000s, ISO:800, Nikon D300S w 300mm and 1.4X tele-converter

\"Parasitic Jaeger,\" Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.The Parasitic Jaeger, also known as the Arctic Skua or Parasitic Skua, (Stercorarius parasiticus) is a seabird in the skua family Stercorariidae. This species breeds in the north of Eurasia and North America, with significant populations as far south as northern Scotland. It nests on dry tundra, higher fells and islands, laying up to four olive-brown eggs. It is usually silent except for newing and wailing notes while on the breeding grounds. Like other skuas, it will fly at the head of a human or fox approaching its nest. Although it cannot inflict serious damage, it is a frightening and painful experience. It is a migrant, wintering at sea in the tropics and southern oceans.

Longyearbyn, Spitsbergen, Svalbard, Norway

08/15/2010