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Birds by name

Arctic skua

Conservation status: Red

A medium-sized dark-looking seabird with pointed wings, and pale patches at the wingtips. Often seen flying low and fast above the waves in pursuit of a tern or other bird, sometimes chasing it high into the air, twisting and turning, to make it drop its food. It comes to land only to breed and is aggressive towards intruders into its breeding territory.

Overview

Latin name

Stercorarius parasiticus

Family

Skuas (Stercorariidae)

Where to see them

In summer it is most easily seen in the Shetland and Orkney islands, and on some coastal moorlands of north and west Scotland; on passage best looked for from coasts in August and September, especially in areas near tern colonies where there are good numbers of feeding terns.

When to see them

Summer (on breeding grounds) and spring and autumn (on passage).

What they eat

Mainly fish, some eggs and young birds.

Population

EuropeUK breeding*UK wintering*UK passage*
-2,136 pairs--

* UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn.

Distribution

Key

In the UK
Northern Scotland (breeding) and around coasts (passage)
In Europe
Iceland, N Scandinavia
Worldwide
N and S America, Europe, Africa and Asia

Please note that the map is only intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.

Illustrations

Audio

Lauri Hallikainen, Xeno-canto

Characteristics

Arctic skua (dark)

Arctic skua - juvenile
  • Size: between pigeon-mallard
  • Feather colours: brown, black, white, grey
  • Beak colours: black/dark grey, brown/buff
  • Beak length: medium
  • Beak thickness: medium
  • Beak shape: medium
  • Leg colour: black/grey
  • Behaviour: part of flock, on ground, bird walks/runs on the ground, eats birds/chicks/eggs

Arctic skua (pale)

Arctic skua - light form
  • Size: between pigeon-mallard
  • Feather colours: brown, black, white, cream/buff
  • Beak colours: black/dark grey, brown/buff
  • Beak length: medium
  • Beak thickness: medium
  • Beak shape: medium
  • Leg colour: black/grey
  • Behaviour: part of flock, on ground, bird walks/runs on the ground, eats birds/chicks/eggs

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