The Pomarine Jaeger is a specialist predator on lemmings during the summer, and may breed in different areas each year depending on lemming abundance; in years with low lemming numbers it may choose not to breed at all. Breeding birds have two long central tail feathers with club-like ends; the shafts of these feathers are twisted, making the wider ends more obvious.
Pomarine Jaeger
Stercorarius pomarinus
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The State of Canada's Birds is presented in partnership by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada.
Pomarine Jaeger
Status and Trends
Distribution
Methods
The State of Canada's Birds is presented in partnership by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada.
Did you know
Summary
Trend
Data Deficient
Confidence: Data Deficient
Goal
Data Deficient
The Pomarine Jaeger nests widely across the Arctic, although the details of its distribution and abundance are poorly documented and complicated by the tendency of the population to shift annually in response to lemming abundance. Based on distribution of records and global abundance estimates, slightly under half the global total of 1.1 million individuals likely breeds in Canada, representing a moderate degree of responsibility. The species winters primarily offshore in both the Pacific and Atlantic. Data are currently insufficient to estimate trends or set a goal for the Canadian population.
Migration Strategy
Long-distance
Canadian Responsibility
Population Estimates
Breeding
510,000
Annual
510,000
Global
1,100,000
Related readings
Summary report
View the report
Trends from this species and others are rolled up into The State of Canada’s Birds Summary Report. Follow the link below to view the report, learn more about birds in Canada, and see how we can all help birds.
This species is included in the following analysis groups for the report:
Long-Distance Migrants
Arctic Birds
Marine Birds
Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada. 2024. The State of Canada’s Birds – Pomarine Jaeger. Data accessed from NatureCounts, Birds Canada.
https://doi.org/10.71842/v3fz-7j21
The State of Canada's Birds is presented in partnership by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada.
Did you know
The Pomarine Jaeger is a specialist predator on lemmings during the summer, and may breed in different areas each year depending on lemming abundance; in years with low lemming numbers it may choose not to breed at all. Breeding birds have two long central tail feathers with club-like ends; the shafts of these feathers are twisted, making the wider ends more obvious.
Distribution and Occurrence
5680
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Related readings
Summary report
View the report
Trends from this species and others are rolled up into The State of Canada’s Birds Summary Report. Follow the link below to view the report, learn more about birds in Canada, and see how we can all help birds.
This species is included in the following analysis groups for the report:
Long-Distance Migrants
Arctic Birds
Marine Birds
Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada. 2024. The State of Canada’s Birds – Pomarine Jaeger. Data accessed from NatureCounts, Birds Canada.
https://doi.org/10.71842/v3fz-7j21