Great Skua

The great skua, known as Stercorarius skua, is a robust seabird, akin in size to the familiar herring gull. It boasts a streaked greyish-brown plumage, a distinctive black cap, and white wing flashes that are particularly noticeable in flight. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism, with females typically outweighing males.

Identification Tips

Adult great skuas can be identified by their size, comparable to that of a herring gull, and their powerful, barrel-chested build. They possess a short, blunt tail and exhibit a strong, direct flight. Juveniles are warmer in color and lack streaking below. The species can be distinguished from other North Atlantic skuas by its size, wing flashes, and less agile but more forceful flight behavior.

Habitat

Great skuas breed on coastal moorland and rocky islands, preferring open landscapes near the ocean where they can nest on the ground.

Distribution

This species breeds in Iceland, Norway, the Faroe Islands, and various Scottish islands, with some breeding on mainland Scotland and northwest Ireland. They are migratory, wintering at sea in the Atlantic Ocean and are known to reach North American waters.

Behaviour

Great skuas are known for their aggressive nature, especially when defending their nests. They will not hesitate to dive-bomb intruders, including humans. They are also known for their piratical behavior, often stealing food from other birds.

Song & Calls

The call of the great skua is a harsh "hah-hah-hah-hah," and they are also known to make quacking and croaking noises.

Breeding

The species lays two spotted olive-brown eggs in grass-lined nests on the ground. They are fiercely protective of their nesting sites and will attack any perceived threats.

Diet and Feeding

Great skuas have a varied diet that includes fish, birds, eggs, carrion, offal, rodents, rabbits, and occasionally berries. They are known to prey on other seabirds up to the size of herring gulls and are adept at robbing gulls, terns, and northern gannets of their catches.

Conservation status

The great skua is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating that it is not at immediate risk of population decline.