Skuas
Here's a list of all the UK Skuas:
Pomarine Skua
Pomarine Skuas are striking seabirds, easily identifiable by their size, being slightly smaller than herring gulls. Their most notable feature in adults is the long, spoon-shaped tail streamers.
They exhibit two colour morphs: light and dark. Light morphs have a dark cap and a white underbody, while dark morphs are mostly brownish-black.
Differences Between Male And Female Pomarine Skuas
In both light and dark morphs, males and females are similar in appearance. However, males may be slightly larger and have more pronounced tail streamers.
Learn moreLong-Tailed Skua
The Long-Tailed Skua, the smallest skua species, is similar in size to a black-headed gull. It’s distinguished by its slim wings, sensitive tail streamers, and a graceful, greyish upper body contrasted with a dusky lower side and a palish breast. Notably, it sports a dark-coloured cap and bill.
Differences Between Male And Female Long-Tailed Skuas
Male and female Long-Tailed Skuas are similar in appearance, but juveniles are greyer with more pronounced stripe patterns, making them tricky to distinguish from young Arctic and Pomarine Skuas.
Learn moreGreat Skua
Great Skuas, with their scientific name Stercorarius skua, are formidable seabirds, roughly the size of a herring gull. They have a robust build and sport a predominantly dark plumage with striking white wing flashes visible in flight.
Adults are streaked greyish brown with a black cap, whereas juveniles are warmer brown without streaking below. Their powerful flight and short, blunt tail make them easily distinguishable.
Differences Between Male And Female Great Skuas
Males and females are similar in appearance, though females are typically a bit larger. Juveniles, in contrast, lack the adults’ streaking and are darker overall.
Learn moreArctic Skua
Arctic Skuas are medium-sized seabirds notable for their robust build and elongated wings.
They boast a predominantly dark brown plumage, contrasted by a distinctive white patch under their wings, visible during flight. Their facial features are marked by a striking white ‘eyebrow’ stripe above each eye and a sharply hooked bill.
During the breeding season, males may sport a reddish-brown band across their breast, adding to their distinctive appearance.
Differences Between Male and Female Arctic Skuas
Male and female Arctic Skuas can be distinguished by subtle differences during the breeding season. Typically, males develop a richer, reddish-brown tint on their breast, whereas females generally maintain a more uniform plumage.
Both sexes share the characteristic white wing patches and eyebrow stripes, making them equally striking.
Learn more