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  • Arctic skua

Arctic skua

Arctic skua (pale)
Arctic skua (pale)
Arctic skua (dark)
Arctic skua (dark)
  • Scientific name: Stercorarius parasiticus
  • Bird family: Skuas
  • UK conservation status: Red
  • Protected by The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

Audio

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Lauri Hallikainen, Xeno-canto

Key information

The arctic skua is a medium-sized dark-looking seabird with pointed wings which are pale at the tips. 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 only comes to land to breed and is aggressive towards intruders who stray into its breeding territory.

What they eat:

Mainly fish but also dead birds and mammals, eggs and young birds.

Measurements:

Length:
41-46cm
Wingspan:
110-125cm
Weight:
330-570g

Population:

UK breeding:
2,136 pairs

Identifying features:

This bird species has different identifying features depending on sex/age/season.

Arctic skua (pale)

Arctic skua, lightform
Feather colour: Black Brown Cream/buff White
Beak: Black Brown Medium length Hooked Medium thickness
Natural habitats: Marine and intertidal

Arctic skua (dark)

Juvenile arctic skua
Feather colour: Black Brown Grey White
Beak: Black Brown Medium length Hooked Medium thickness
Natural habitats: Marine and intertidal

Similar birds:

  • Great skua adult
    Great skua
  • Adult long-taile skua
    Long-tailed skua
  • Pomarine skua, paleform
    Pomarine skua

Where and when to see them

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

* This map is intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.
  • Resident
  • Passage
  • Summer
  • Winter
Arctic skua distribution map

The arctic skua can be seen in summer (on breeding grounds) and spring and autumn (on passage).

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RSPB reserves

  • RSPB Mousa
  • RSPB Birsay Moors
  • RSPB Fetlar
  • RSPB North Hill

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