Arctic Skua

The Arctic Skua is a seabird in the skua family. Identification is complicated by similarities to the Long-tailed Skua and the Pomarine Skua and the existence of three colour morphs. Light-morph adults have a brown back, mainly white underparts and dark primary wing feathers with a white flash. The head and neck are yellowish-white with a black cap and there is a pointed central tail projection. Dark-morph adults are dark brown and intermediate-phase birds are dark with somewhat paler underparts, head and neck. All morphs have the white wing flash.

The Arctic Skua breeds on dry tundra, higher fells and islands in the north of Eurasia and north America with significant populations as far south as northern Scotland. In the UK, it breeds in Shetland and Orkney, the Outer Hebrides, Sutherland, Caithness and some islands in Argyll. The Arctic Skua is a migrant, wintering at sea in the tropics and southern oceans.

The Arctic Skua feeds on rodents, small birds and insects but also robs gulls and terns of their catches. Like the larger skua species, it continues this piratical behaviour throughout the year and shows great agility as it harasses its victims.

Date: 10th June 2019

Location: Handa Island, Highland