Great Skua
Image: miguelberkemeier (cc-by-nc)
NameGreat Skua
Common NameGreat Skua
Scientific NameStercorarius skua
FamilyStercorariidae
Wingspan (cm)132.5
Length (cm)54
Weight (g)1425
Plumage DetailsAdults are uniformly dark brown with a mottled or streaked appearance, particularly on the head and neck. A distinctive white flash is visible at the base of the primary feathers on the underwing, especially prominent in flight.
Vocalization / CallGenerally silent at sea, but vocal at breeding colonies. Calls include harsh, guttural 'skua-skua' or 'ga-ga-ga' alarm calls, and a distinctive 'chick-chick' or 'kya-kya' during display.
Primary Dietomnivore
Primary Habitatsopen ocean, coastal areas, tundra
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeBreeds on islands and coastal areas of the North Atlantic, including Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Scotland, and Norway. It winters at sea, ranging south to tropical waters and occasionally into the Southern Hemisphere.
Identifying Featureslarge size, robust build, dark brown mottled plumage, prominent white wing flashes (visible in flight), heavy bill with hooked tip, kleptoparasitic behavior
Description
The Great Skua is a large, powerful seabird known for its robust build and predatory behavior. It is often observed harassing other seabirds to steal their catch, a behavior known as kleptoparasitism, and also preys on fish and small birds.
