Key information
The pomarine skua is a large seabird, nearly as big as a herring gull. It has long spoon-shaped tail streamers. There are two colour forms: dark - birds are all dark brown with small white flashes on the wings; light - birds have a pale breast and a dark cap on their heads.
It does not breed in the UK, but is a passage migrant in both spring and autumn. It winters off the coast of West Africa.
What they eat:
Lemmings on the breeding grounds; otherwise, fish and other birds.
Measurements:
- Length:
- 46-51 cm
- Wingspan:
- 113-125 cm
- Weight:
- 550-900 g
Identifying features:
This bird species has different identifying features depending on sex/age/season.
Pomarine skua (pale)
Pomarine skua (juvenile)
