Bird Description

High-Arctic breeder. Rarely seen from land, but fairly common offshore. The most likely winter jaeger. 'Poms' often seen migrating in packs. ID: Largest and most powerful jaeger; a real bruiser. Size and shape best ID feature. Bigger with flattish undercarriage, bulging sternum, similar to LTJE (this is an underestimated ID challenge: PAJE heavier in the belly). Long thick bill. Large white wing flashes. Also second diagnostic pale flash formed by pale bases to greater coverts on underwing. Ad pale morph: long central tail feathers ('spoons') usually present on breeding and migrating birds but may be broken off. Yellow face with dark cap extending onto malar region giving 'mean' look. Breast band often broad, narrower in males. In winter shows barring on underparts and rump (aged by uniformly dark underwing). Central tail feathers shortened but broad and blunt-tipped. 2nd-year: similar but some barring on underwing. Dark morph (approx 10% of population): dark brown, cap darker but still with wing flashes. Juv: variable but typically uniform dark brown with pale-tipped upperparts. Central tail feathers very short and blunt-tipped. Juvs migrate after mid-Oct.