About the Great Skua
The great skua, sometimes known by the name bonxie in Britain, is a large seabird in the skua family Stercorariidae. It is roughly the size of a herring gull. It mainly eats fish caught at the sea surface or taken from other birds.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
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.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where the Great Skua lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in United States, Finland, Mauritania, Argentina, Libya, South Africa, Falkland Islands, Türkiye, Greece, Bulgaria.
When to see the Great Skua
Peak activity in September · a variable species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Long-tailed JaegerStercorarius longicaudusThis species is unmistakable as an adult, with grey back, dark primary wing feathers without a white "flash", black cap and very long tail.
Pomarine JaegerStercorarius pomarinusThis species ranges from 46 to 67 cm (18 to 26 in) in length, 110 to 138 cm (43 to 54 in) in wingspan and 540–920 g (1.19–2.03 lb) in weight.
Chilean SkuaStercorarius chilensisChilean skuas tend to be dark on their back, flanks, and cheeks, and uniformly light underneath.
Side by side: Great Skua vs Parasitic Jaeger · Great Skua vs Pomarine Jaeger · Great Skua vs Long-tailed Jaeger
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