Great Skua vs South Polar Skua

Great Skua

Stercorarius skua

1.3 kgMarine

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: Hobbyfotowiki · CC0

South Polar Skua

Stercorarius maccormicki

1.3 kgMarine

The south polar skua is a large bird (though small compared to other skuas sometimes placed in Catharacta) that measures around 53 cm (21 in) in length. Adults are greyish brown above, and have a whitish (pale morph) or straw-brown (intermediate morph) head and underparts, and the contrast between head and body makes it easy to separate from similar species with good views. Juveniles and adult dark morphs are harder to distinguish from their relatives, and more subjective or difficult-to-observe criteria, such as the colder brown plumage and blue bill base, must be used.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recorded by steve · Call · Cuverville Island, Antarctica · CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Алексей Логинов · CC BY 4.0

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Great Skua and South Polar Skua.