Great Skua
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NameGreat Skua
Common NameGreat Skua
Scientific NameStercorarius skua
FamilyStercorariidae
Wingspan (cm)132.5
Length (cm)54
Weight (g)1400
Plumage DetailsAdults are uniformly dark brown, often with a streaky or mottled appearance, especially on the head and underparts. They have distinctive white flashes at the base of the primary feathers, which are most visible in flight.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations include harsh, guttural "skua" calls, often given in alarm or during territorial disputes. They also produce a variety of yelping and cackling sounds, particularly around breeding colonies.
Primary Dietcarnivore
Primary Habitatscoastal, oceanic, tundra
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeBreeds in the North Atlantic, including Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Norway, Scotland, and parts of Greenland and eastern Canada. Winters at sea, ranging south to the tropics and even into the Southern Hemisphere.
Identifying Featureslarge size, robust build, dark brown plumage, pale wing flashes (in flight), heavy, hooked bill, predatory behavior
Description
The Great Skua is a large, powerful seabird known for its robust build and predatory nature. It spends much of its life at sea, coming ashore to breed on remote northern islands and coasts. This species is an opportunistic feeder, often engaging in kleptoparasitism.
