Status in UK:
(A) Migrant Breeder, Passage Visitor
Subspecies:
Monotypic
.
Length:
44 cm
Wingspan:
118 cm
Weight:
M/F: 450 g
Scientific name from:
L.: stercus=dung + -arius=belonging to
and L.: parasiticus=parasitic
World Distribution:
BREEDS: n Eurasia, n North America, WINTERS: southern oceans
Habitat:
Coastal tundra, in winter seacoasts
Diet:
Summer, mostly birds, small mammals, insects, Winter, fish, mostly by piracy from other birds
TitBit:
The Arctic Skua is an avian pirate, constantly harassing other seabirds for their recent catches, their consummate aerial dexterity inspired the name for the RAF's first naval dive-bomber, the Blackburn Skua.