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How do skuas and jaegers steal food from other seabirds?
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Charadriiform
Crab plover (Dromas ardeola)
Skuas and jaegersâwhich belong to the family Stercorariidaeâare agile and swift predatory seabirds that employ a feeding strategy known as kleptoparasitism.
To obtain food, these birds actively harass other seabirds, such as terns and kittiwakes, forcing them to disgorge their recently caught meals. While these birds are capable of hunting or catching fish on their own, this behavior allows them to acquire sustenance efficiently by stealing it from others. In addition to this practice, they are known to nest near colonies of other seabirds, where they may also steal eggs and young to supplement their diet.123