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| Seabirds |Jaegers and Skuas| South Polar Skua | Search |Comments | Site Map |
| South Polar
Skua Catharacta maccormicki |
South Polar Skua photographed by Steve Mirick in California |
Southern hemisphere breeder mostly around Antarctica. Largest population around the Ross Sea Area (3) Breeds from October to February .
Juveniles disperses north and can appear in northern waters during our summer. Appears off the Grand Banks of Newfoundland along with Great Skuas. Adults probably stay close to breeding areas. Competes with the Arctic Tern as a long distance migrant.
While breeding, feeds primarily on fish and to a lesser extent on penguins and other seabirds. Hybridizes with Brown Skua.
How To See
Finding South Polar Skua off the east coast is tough. Take an extended pelagic trip that includes the Continental Shelf edge. One was photographed on Stellwagen Bank by Peter Trull. Much easier to see on a California pelagic.
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South Polar Skua photographed by Steve Mirick in California. |
| Skuas and Jaegers | Great Skua | South Polar Skua | Pomarine Jaeger | Parasitic Jaeger | Long-tailed Jaeger |