Stercorarius parasiticus is a medium-sized seabird with a wingspan of approximately 50 cm. It has a dark brown back and wings, a white head and underparts, and a black tail. Its distinguishing features include a black bill, yellow legs, and a white rump. It is found in the northern hemisphere, mainly in the Arctic and North Atlantic regions. Its lifespan is typically between 10 and 15 years, and its current population is estimated to be around 1.5 million.
Name Origin: The scientific name of the organism, Stercorarius parasiticus, is derived from the Latin words stercus, meaning "dung," and parassiticus, meaning "parasite." This is likely due to the fact that this species of seabird is known to feed on the dung of other animals.
Related Species: Stercorarius longicaudus, Stercorarius skua, Stercorarius pomarinus