Chilean Skua
Stercorarius chilensis
The Chilean Skua (Stercorarius chilensis) is a uncommon jaegers and skua found in 6 countries. The Chilean skua, also known as the cinnamon skua, is a large predatory seabird, which breeds in Argentina and Chile, but ranges as far north as Brazil and Peru when not breeding.
About the Chilean Skua
The Chilean skua, also known as the cinnamon skua, is a large predatory seabird, which breeds in Argentina and Chile, but ranges as far north as Brazil and Peru when not breeding. A relatively distinctive skua, it has a dark cap that contrasts with its cinnamon throat and lower face. Hybrids with the Falkland skua are known from southern Argentina.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
Chilean skuas tend to be dark on their back, flanks, and cheeks, and uniformly light underneath. The dark colour usually extends from their back across the upper chest to form a pectoral collar. The underside of their wings is characteristically cinnamon-coloured, but this colour can be rather dull in some individuals. All adults have a distinctive dark cap and prominent pale gold streaking on the face and neck. They have black legs, brown irises, and a small, bluish bill with a dark tip. Their wingspan is 130 to 138 cm. Voice: Very little information is available on the vocalizations of the Chilean skua. At the breeding colony, it performs a long-call which consists of ten to twelve short nasal barks. This call is seemingly unrelated to chick-rearing and has been described as almost goose-like due to its distinctly deep and hoarse nature. Other calls may include short guttural grunts.
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, October, November, December, with peak activity in November. It is a summer visitor species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Chilean Skua?
- Chilean skuas tend to be dark on their back, flanks, and cheeks, and uniformly light underneath. Full identification notes are on this page.
- Where can you see a Chilean Skua?
- The Chilean Skua occurs in 6 countries, including Chile, Argentina, Peru, Uruguay and Brazil.
- What birds look similar to a Chilean Skua?
- The Chilean Skua is most easily confused with the South Polar Skua, the Brown Skua and the Great Skua.
- Is the Chilean Skua endangered?
- The Chilean Skua is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Chilean Skua for real
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