South Polar Skua

Overview

The south polar skua (Stercorarius maccormicki) is a large seabird belonging to the skua family. It is also known by the older name MacCormick's skua and is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• Adults are greyish brown above with a whitish (pale morph) or straw-brown (intermediate morph) head and underparts, where the contrast between head and body aids separation from similar species.
• Measures around 53 cm in length and features a massive barrel chest with white wing flashes that are distinctive even at a distance.
• Juveniles and adult dark morphs display colder brown plumage and a blue bill base, making them harder to distinguish from relatives.
• Exhibits direct and powerful flight patterns.

Habitat

This species breeds on Antarctic coasts, typically laying two eggs in November and December. As a migrant, it winters at sea in the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans, while the eastern North Atlantic is occupied by the closely related great skua.

Diet

The diet consists mainly of fish, frequently obtained by robbing gulls, terns, and gannets of their catches, as well as other birds, rabbits, and carrion. It exhibits piratical behavior throughout the year, relying on brute force rather than agility when harassing victims.

Did you know?

South polar skuas have been observed at the actual Geographic South Pole. The species has also produced a confirmed record from the Western Province of Sri Lanka.