Bird Guide

Great Skua vs Long-tailed Jaeger

Great Skua (Stercorarius skua)

Great Skua

Stercorarius skua

Great skuas measure 50–58 cm (20–23 in) long and have a 125–140 cm (49–55 in) wingspan. One study found that 112 males weighed an average of 1.27 kg (2 lb 13 oz) and that 125 females weighed an average of 1.41 kg (3 lb 2 oz). Adults are a streaked greyish brown, with a black cap, while juveniles are a warmer brown and unstreaked below. They have a short, blunt tail, and a powerful flight. The great skua's call is a harsh hah-hah-hah-hah; quacking and croaking noises have also been heard.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: steve b · CC0
Long-tailed Jaeger (Stercorarius longicaudus)

Long-tailed Jaeger

Stercorarius longicaudus

Medium288 gMarine

This species is unmistakable as an adult, with grey back, dark primary wing feathers without a white "flash", black cap and very long tail. Adults often hover over their breeding territories. Juveniles are much more problematic, and are difficult to separate from parasitic jaeger over the sea. They are slimmer, longer-winged and more tern-like than that species, but show the same wide range of plumage variation. However, they are usually colder toned than Arctic, with greyer shades, rather than brown. This is the smallest of the skua family at 38–58 cm (15–23 in), depending on season and age.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: Davyd Betchkal · CC0
Photo: Per Willy Bøe · CC BY 4.0

Where you might meet both

And 3 more countries.

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Great Skua and Long-tailed Jaeger.