Great skua

The Great Skua, a formidable seabird of the skua family Stercorariidae, was first described in 1764 by Danish zoologist Morten Thrane Brünnich. Comparable in size to a herring gull, the Great Skua primarily feeds on fish it captures from the sea's surface or pilfers from other birds. It is a monotypic species, meaning it lacks any subspecies.

Distinguished by its streaked greyish-brown feathers, black cap, and white wing flashes, the Great Skua exhibits powerful flight and emits a harsh call. Measuring approximately 50-58 cm in length with a wingspan of 125-140 cm, these birds are slightly smaller than some of their large skua relatives from the southern hemisphere.

Great Skuas breed in regions such as Iceland, Norway, the Faroe Islands, and the Scottish islands. They lay two spotted olive-brown eggs in nests lined with grass situated on coastal moorlands and rocky islands. During the breeding season, they become highly aggressive toward anyone approaching their nests.

These seabirds are infamous for their piratical behavior, frequently stealing food from other seabirds. Their diet includes fish, birds, eggs, carrion, and various small animals. Owing to their size and aggressive demeanor, they face few natural predators, with larger raptors posing the only substantial threat to healthy adults.

Genetic studies suggest a possible hybrid origin between the Great Skua and the Pomarine Skua. Notably, these birds are known for attacking and consuming smaller birds such as puffins, and they engage in nocturnal predation of storm petrels, particularly observed in St. Kilda.