Nesting behavior and food habits of Parasitic Jaegers at Anderson River Delta, Northwest Territories

Abstract

Based on the seven nests located at Anderson River delta in 1973, Parasitic Jaegers (Stercorarius parasiticus) had a breeding density of | pair per 2300 ha.Breeding success was 14.3%.Males and females shared incubation.A chick at one nest was unattended by an adult only 8% of the time.Defended core areas were within a 300-m radius of the nest, although hunting areas extended at least 3 km.Bird remains, particularly passerines, were found in 85.0% of the pellets collected.Mammals, mainly microtine rodents, were in 25.4% of the pellets.Other food included eggs, insects, and berries.