Arctic Skua
The Arctic Skua, also known as the 'parasitic jaeger', has adapted to some of the planet’s most challenging environments with its streamlined shape, agile flight, and bold behavior.
Facts about Arctic Skua
- Antarctica
- Antarctic Peninsula
- Falkland Islands
- South Georgia
- South Shetland Islands
- Arctic
- Canada
- Greenland
- Iceland
- Jan Mayen
- Svalbard
- South America
- Argentina
- Europe
- Denmark
- England
- France
- Portugal
- Norway
- Scotland
- Spain
Arctic Skua Quick Overview
Scientific Name: Stercorarius parasiticus
Population: Estimated close to 500,000 globally
Regions: Arctic and sub-Arctic during breeding season; migrates to southern oceans during winter
Destinations: Falkland Islands, South Shetland Islands, Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia, Jan Mayen, Iceland, Canada, Svalbard, Greenland, Denmark, France, Norway, Spain, Portugal, England, Scotland, Argentina
Average Length: Adult: Males: ~0.46 m (1.5 ft), Females: ~0.46 m (1.5 ft); Newborn: ~6–8 cm (2.4–3.1 in)
Average Weight: Adult: ~0.475 kg (1.05 lbs), Females: ~0.475 kg (1.05 lbs); Newborn: ~0.05–0.07 kg (1.8–2.5 oz)
Diet Habits: Primarily kleptoparasitic – steals food from other birds; also hunts small birds, fish, and insects
Arctic Skua Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Stercorariidae
Genus: Stercorarius
Species: S. parasiticus
Arctic Skua Explorer Passport
English: Arctic Skua
Danish: Almindelig Kjove
Chinese: 极地贼鸥 (Jídì zéi’ōu)
Swedish: Fjällabb
Finnish: Kuikkalintu
Norwegian: Tyvjo
Polish: Wydrzyk pasożytniczy
Japanese: トウゾクカモメ (Tōzoku-kamome)
Spanish: Págalo Parásito
French: Labbe parasite
Questions Guests Ask about the Arctic Skua
Where Do They Live?
Besides having ‘Arctic’ in its main name, this mid-sized bird is a species that our guests can spot in both the Arctic and Antarctica. They spend most of their time flying above the oceans during migration. In the northern hemisphere, they are in both the Arctic and sub-Arctic tundra regions across Iceland, Svalbard, Greenland, and northern Canada. During the non-breeding season, this bird migrates to the southern oceans, where it is often seen offshore near the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and the Antarctic Peninsula.
What Does the Arctic Skua Eat?
Their diet mainly consists of fish, small birds, and insects. However, they are best known for kleptoparasitism - stealing food from other seabirds in mid-air. They aggressively chase these birds, such as terns, gulls, and puffins, forcing them to drop their food so they can steal it. This daring behaviour has earned them the names “parasitic jaeger” and “pirates of the sea”.
What Are the Biggest Threats to the Arctic Skua?
Major threats to the Arctic skua bird include climate change affecting Arctic breeding grounds, predation by Arctic foxes, and habitat disturbances from human activities. Additionally, changes in prey availability and marine pollution are rising concerns for the Arctic skua.
How Fast Is an Arctic Skua?
To steal food from other animals, they need to be quick. The Arctic Skua in flight is incredibly agile and swift, capable of reaching speeds of 50 kph (31 mph) with wings that measure up to 125 cm (4.1 ft).
Arctic Skuas soaring over icy seas
How Many of These 10 Arctic Skua Facts Did You Already Know?
Fact #1: They do not have bars on the upper side of their wings.
Fact #2: The expected length of the central tail feathers ranges from 7-8 cm.
Fact #3: These birds can be found in two colour varieties: light and dark.
Fact #4: Both males and females look the same.
Fact #5: Arctic skuas' summer look includes a dark cap and white underpart.
Fact #6: Young skuas take 3–4 years to develop their adult feathers.
Fact #7: Juvenile Arctic skuas have barred necks and mottled bellies.
Fact #8: Dark morphs of Arctic skuas are more common in the southern part of their range.
Fact #9: Light morphs of Arctic skuas dominate the northern Arctic regions.
Fact #10: Some adaptations of these birds include quick flight and food-stealing abilities for survival.
Join on an Arctic adventure with Albatros Expeditions and witness the wonders of Arctic wildlife!
Arctic skuas are also known as 'parasitic jaegers', 'parasitic skuas', 'Arctic jaegers' or the 'pirates of the sea'
These birds spend most of the year at sea
They usually lay two eggs, with incubation undertaken by both sexes.
Even though they are classified as 'Least Concern' globally, they face a high risk of becoming endangered in Europe.
They are also known as the ‘pirates of the sea’.