Showing posts with label Stercorariidae. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Stercorariidae. Show all posts

Brown skua

   ›      ›   Brown skua - Catharacta antarctica

The brown skua (Catharacta antarctica) belongs to the family of skuas and jaegers, Stercorariidae.

These skua species are distributed in Antarctic Peninsula, subantarctic regions of the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans. Vagrant brown skua populations have been observed in the coasts of India, Oman and Iran. There are three recognized subspecies of brown skua.

Overview & Quick Facts Description & Identification
Pictures of Brown Skua Distribution & Range
Ecosystem & Habitat Diet & Feeding Behavior
Breeding Habits Migration & Movement Patterns
Conservation & Survival IUCN Status
Taxonomy & Classification Bird World

Brown skua - Overview

  • Scientific name: Catharacta antarctica
  • Species author: (Lesson, 1831)
  • Synonyms/Protonym: Lestris antarcticus Lesson, 1831, Stercorarius antarcticus
  • Family: Stercorariidae › Charadriiformes › Aves › Chordata › Animalia
  • Vernacular names: English: Brown skua, Chinese: 棕贼鸥, French: Labbe antarctique, German: Subantarktikskua, Spanish: Págalo subantártico, Russian: Антарктический поморник, Japanese: ミナミオオトウゾクカモメ
  • Other names: Antarctic skua, subantarctic skua, southern great skua
  • Distribution: Antarctic Peninsula, subantarctic regions of the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans
  • Diet and feeding habits: fish, birds, small mammals, carrion
  • IUCN status listing: Least Concern (LC)
The brown skua (Catharacta antarctica) is closely related to great skua (Catharacta skua), Chilean skua (Catharacta chilensis) and south polar skua (Stercorarius maccormicki).
The three recognized subspecies of brown skua are: Catharacta antarctica antarctica (Lesson, 1831), Catharacta antarctica hamiltoni Hagen, 1952 and Catharacta antarctica lonnbergi Mathews, 1912.

Appearance, physical description and identification

The brown skua (Catharacta antarctica) is a large seabird, measuring about 65 cm in length and weighing 1500 to 2200 grams. The wingspan is 125 to 160 cms.

The overall plumage of these species is brownish shades with pale flecking. Both the sexes look alike, but the female is larger. The wings are long, broad and pointed. The wings have distinctive white outer wing flashes.

The bill of the skua is black and hooked. The legs are dark gray with webbed feet and sharp claws. The irises are black. Their call is a repetitive “couk...couk...couk" sound.
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Birds of India - Photo of Brown skua - Catharacta antarctica
Indian birds - Picture of Brown skua - Catharacta antarctica
Indian birds - Image of Brown skua - Catharacta antarctica
Birds of India - Photo of Brown skua - Catharacta antarctica by Liam Quinn

Origin, geographical range and distribution

The brown skua species are distributed in the coasts of Antarctica, Australia, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, French Southern Territories, New Zealand, Norfolk Island, St Helena, Uruguay, Falkland Islands, Argentina, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Seychelles.

The subspecies C. a. antarctica is distributed Falkland Islands and South Argentina and winters in South America. The subspecies C. a. hamiltoni is distributed Tristan da Cunha and Gough Islands and is sedentary.

The subspecies C. a. lonnbergi is distributed Antarctic Peninsula and subantarctic regions of Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans. Vagrant brown skua populations have been observed in the coasts of India, Oman and Iran.

Ecosystem and habitat

The brown skua species do not normally occur in forests. These species occur in altitudes from 0 to 100 meters. They inhabit subantarctic grasslands and various marine ecosystems.

The brown skuas inhabit marine ecosystems like, rocky offshore islands, intertidal rocky shoreline, intertidal beaches, intertidal pools, shallow seas with macroalgal growth (kelp and seagrass), marine pelagic zones and oceanic zones.

Diet and feeding behavior

The diet of these brown skua species is mostly fish and birds. Fish, birds, small mammals and carrion are the primary food. They feed opportunistically on prey. They are found to scavenge around fishing boats and ships.

They prey upon eggs and chicks of penguins, adults and fledgling petrels, burrow-nesting prions, gadfly petrels, storm-petrels and shearwaters. They are also kleptoparasites, robbing the seabirds of their catch by high speed pursuit and strikes from above.

Reproduction and breeding habits

The breeding season of these brown skua species is from September to December. Loose breeding colonies are formed. These birds are monogamous and highly territorial and attack intruders. Quite often breeding territories are occupied by trios, comprising one female and two males.

These skua species nest on grass, gravel or bare rock. Sometimes the scrape nest may be lined with grass or moss. The typical clutch contains two large pale brown mottled eggs. Both the parents take part in incubation and in feeding chicks. The chicks hatch out in 29 to 33 days and fledge at 58 to 63 days.

Migration and movement patterns

The brown skua is a partially migratory bird.

Breeding populations of brown skua occur in Antarctic Peninsula and subantarctic regions of the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans. They disperse slightly northwards from the breeding grounds for wintering.

Post breeding, the brown skua juveniles may disperse and establish in new locations within the range. They may make local movements for feeding and breeding within their range.

Conservation and survival

The global population size of the brown skua (Catharacta antarctica) is estimated to be around 39,000 to 42,000 individual birds. The overall population trend of these species is considered to be stable. Throughout its range it is reported to be rare to common. The generation length is 17.1 years. Their distribution size is about 135,000,000 sq.km.

The brown skua (Catharacta antarctica) does not approach the thresholds for being Vulnerable either under the range size criterion, or the population trend criterion or under the population size criterion. Loss of habitat due to global warming is the main threat that may endanger the survival of these species.

IUCN and CITES status

The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has categorized and evaluated the skua species and has listed it as of "Least Concern". CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) status is ‘Not Evaluated’ for the brown skua (Catharacta antarctica).
Taxonomy and scientific classification of Catharacta antarctica
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Aves
Order:Charadriiformes
Family:Stercorariidae
Subfamily:-
Genus:Catharacta
Species:C. antarctica
Binomial name:Catharacta antarctica
IUCN status listing:
Least Concern
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1.Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Brownskua_inggeorgeisland.jpg
Image author: Henrike Mühlichen | License: CC BY-SA 3.0
2.Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Skua_Terra_Nova_Bay_02.jpg
Image author: Francisco Ardini/PNRA | License: CC BY-SA 4.0
3.Image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Stercorarius_antarcticus_-Godthul,_South_Georgia,_British_Overseas_Territories,_UK_-landing-8.jpg
Image author: Liam Quinn | License: CC BY-SA 2.0 (as on 21/02/17)
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Long-tailed jaeger

   ›      ›   Long-tailed jaeger - Stercorarius longicaudus.

The long-tailed jaeger (Stercorarius longicaudus) belongs to the family of jaegers and skuas, Stercorariidae.

These jaeger species are distributed in the Arctic regions of Europe, Asia and North America. The long-tailed jaegers are transequatorial migrants and they winter in south Atlantic and Pacific coasts. There are two recognized subspecies of these jaegers.

Overview & Quick Facts Description & Identification
Pictures of Long-tailed Jaeger Distribution & Range
Ecosystem & Habitat Diet & Feeding Behavior
Breeding Habits Migration & Movement Patterns
Conservation & Survival IUCN Status
Taxonomy & Classification Bird World

Long-tailed jaeger - Overview

  • Scientific name: Stercorarius longicaudus
  • Species author: Vieillot, 1819
  • Synonyms/Protonym: Stercorarius longicaudus Vieillot, 1819
  • Family: Stercorariidae › Charadriiformes › Aves › Chordata › Animalia
  • Vernacular names: English: Long-tailed jaeger, Chinese: 长尾贼鸥, French: Labbe à longue queue, German: Falkenraubmöwe, Spanish: Págalo rabero, Russian: Длиннохвостый поморник, Japanese: シロハラトウゾクカモメ, Indonesian: Burung Camar-kejar Kecil
  • Other names: Long-tailed skua
  • Distribution: Arctic Europe, Asia and North America; winters in the south Atlantic and Pacific coasts; accidental visitor to Indian coast
  • Diet and feeding habits: lemmings, fish robbed from other birds, small birds, small mammals, carrion
  • IUCN status listing: Least Concern (LC)
The long-tailed jaeger (Stercorarius longicaudus) is closely related to Arctic jaeger (Stercorarius parasiticus) and pomarine jaeger (Stercorarius pomarinus).
The two recognized subspecies of long-tailed jaeger are: Stercorarius longicaudus longicaudus Vieillot, 1819 and Stercorarius longicaudus pallescens Løppenthin, 1932.

Appearance, physical description and identification

The long-tailed jaeger (Stercorarius longicaudus) is a medium-sized bird, measuring 50 to 55 cm (including the tail streamers) in length and weighing about 230 to 350 grams. The wingspan is 100 to 120 cm. The overall plumage of these jaeger species is shades of gray. The back is grayish. The dark primary feathers do not have the white flashes, typical to other jaegers. The tail is dark and the central tail streamers are darker and long.

The head of long-tailed jaeger has a black cap. The nape, neck, throat and breast are whitish. The abdomen region is grayish and the undertail is dark. The irises are black. The bill is black with slightly down-curved upper mandible tip. Their call is a harsh "kreeah" sound.
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Indian birds - Picture of Long-tailed jaeger - Stercorarius longicaudus
Indian birds - Picture of Long-tailed jaeger - Stercorarius longicaudus
Birds of India - Photo of Long-tailed jaeger - Stercorarius longicaudus

Origin, geographical range and distribution

The breeding populations of long-tailed jaeger are distributed in the Arctic regions of Europe, Asia and North America. The wintering populations are distributed in south Atlantic and Pacific coasts. Vagrant and migrating jaeger populations occur in several Asian, African and South American nations including India.

The nominate long-tailed jaeger subspecies S. l. longicaudus is distributed in Arctic and subarctic uplands of Scandinavia and Russia. The subspecies S. l. pallescens is distributed in Arctic Alaska, N Canada and Greenland.

The Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA) of the long-tailed jaeger species in Finland are Käsivarsi fjelds and Kevo. The IBA of these species in Norway are Dovrefjell, Hardangervidda, Reisa and Varanger Peninsula.

The IBA of these jaeger species in Russia are Middle reaches of Bolshaya Rogovaya river, Valley of the Yorkutayakha river, Upper and Middle Yuribey, Lower Yuribey and Basins of the Schuchya and Khadytayakha rivers.

The IBA of these long-tailed jaeger species in Sweden are Lake Ånnsjön-Storlien, Lake Tjålmejaure-Laisdalen valley, Middagsfjället - Dörrshöjden, Taavavuoma, Vindelfjällen mountains and Lake Tärnasjön.

The Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA) of these jaeger species in Greenland and Denmark are Hochstetter Forland, South coast of Germania Land, Western part of Germania land and Slaedelandet.

Ecosystem and habitat

These long-tailed jaeger species do not normally occur in forests. These species occur in altitudes from 0 to 1300 meters. They inhabit various marine, oceanic, neritic, pelagic and grassland ecosystems.

The breeding long-tailed jaeger populations inhabit Arctic, subarctic or montane tundra and grasslands. They inhabit marine neritic regions like shallow seas with submerged macroalgal, kelp and seagrass growths. They also inhabit subtidal regions with sands, pebbles, loose rocks and rocky reefs. They also inhabit marine pelagic and oceanic habitats.

Diet and feeding behavior

The diet of these long-tailed jaeger species is mostly lemmings during the breeding season. The lemmings, fish, shrews, many insects, berries and small birds are their primary food. The wintering population is believed to thrive by scavenging and kleptoparasitism, by chasing other seabirds and robbing them of their catches.

Reproduction and breeding habits

The breeding season of the long-tailed jaeger species starts from June. These jaeger species are highly territorial and attack intruders, including humans. The nesting sites are widely scattered on dry tundra and high barren lands.

The jaeger nest is an inconspicuous, unlined scrape on the ground. The clutch consists of two spotted olive-brown eggs. Their breeding success is closely linked with the abundance of their major prey, lemmings.

Migration and movement patterns

The long-tailed jaeger is a long-distance transequatorial migrant bird. During the summer, the long-tailed jaeger species nest and breed in the Arctic and subarctic regions in Asia, Europe and North America. Major breeding populations are found in Alaska, Russia and Canada.

These jaeger species make transequatorial migration to reach the south Atlantic and Pacific coasts for wintering. These birds have been recorded even in South Pole. The jaegers may migrate overland in Asia and Africa.

Conservation and survival

The global population size of the long-tailed jaeger (Stercorarius longicaudus) is estimated to be around 250,000 to 750,000 mature individual birds. The overall population size of these jaeger species is considered to be stable. Throughout its range it is reported to be rare to nearly common. The generation length is 12.5 years. Their distribution size is about 34,800,000 sq.km.

The long-tailed jaeger (Stercorarius longicaudus) does not approach the thresholds for being Vulnerable either under the range size criterion or under the population trend criterion or under the population size criterion. The impacts posed by the climate change and the resultant fluctuations in the availability of prey are the main threats that may endanger the survival of these jaeger species.

IUCN and CITES status

The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has categorized and evaluated the jaeger species and has listed it as of "Least Concern". CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) status is ‘Not Evaluated’ for the long-tailed jaeger (Stercorarius longicaudus).
Taxonomy and scientific classification of Stercorarius longicaudus
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Aves
Order:Charadriiformes
Family:Stercorariidae
Subfamily:-
Genus:Stercorarius
Species:S. longicaudus
Binomial name:Stercorarius longicaudus
IUCN status listing:
Least Concern
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1.Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Stercorarius_longicaudus2.jpg
Image author: Tim Bowman - Fish and Wildlife Service | License: Public domain
2.Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Long-tailed_Skua,_Svalbard_1.jpg
Image author: Smudge 9000 | License : CC BY-SA 2.0 (as on 17/02/11)
3.Image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Long-tailed_Skua_in_flight.jpg
Image author: Tim Bowman - Fish and Wildlife Service | License: Public domain
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Arctic jaeger

   ›      ›   Arctic jaeger - Stercorarius parasiticus.

The Arctic jaeger (Stercorarius parasiticus) belongs to the skua and jaeger family Stercorariidae.

These jaeger species are distributed in North America, North Europe and North Asia. Wintering Arctic jaeger populations occur in the oceanic coasts of Southern Hemisphere. These species of birds obtain most or all of food by kleptoparasitism, robbing gulls and terns of their catches. The Arctic jaeger is a monotypic species.

Overview & Quick Facts Description & Identification
Pictures of Arctic Jaeger Distribution & Range
Ecosystem & Habitat Diet & Feeding Behavior
Breeding Habits Migration & Movement Patterns
Conservation & Survival IUCN Status
Taxonomy & Classification Bird World

Arctic jaeger - Overview

  • Scientific name: Stercorarius parasiticus
  • Species author: (Linnaeus, 1758)
  • Synonyms/Protonym: Larus parasiticus Linnaeus, 1758
  • Family: Stercorariidae › Charadriiformes › Aves › Chordata › Animalia
  • Vernacular names: English: Arctic jaeger, Chinese: 短尾贼鸥, French: Labbe parasite, German: Schmarotzerraubmöwe, Spanish: Págalo parásito, Russian: Короткохвостый поморник, Japanese: クロトウゾクカモメ, Indonesian: Burung Camar Kejar Arktik
  • Other names: Parasitic Jaeger, Arctic Skua, Richardson's Jaeger, parasitic skua
  • Distribution: North America, North Asia, North Europe, wintering in oceans of Southern Hemisphere
  • Diet and feeding habits: mostly fish, kleptoparasitic
  • IUCN status listing: Least Concern (LC)
The Arctic jaeger (Stercorarius parasiticus) is closely related to long-tailed jaeger (Stercorarius longicaudus) and pomarine skua (Stercorarius pomarinus).

Appearance, physical description and identification

The Arctic jaeger (Stercorarius parasiticus) is a large bird, measuring 45 cm in length and weighting 350 to 600 grams. The wingspan is 110 to 125 cm.
The dark morphs of Arctic jaeger species have dark brown plumage. The light colored morphs have light brown back and white underparts. The primary wing feathers are dark. The head and neck are whitish and there is a black cap. The central tail feathers are pointed and project as tail streamers.

The intermediate morphs have dark backs and somewhat paler head, neck and underparts. All adult birds have white wing flashes. The beak is pale gray and the feet are webbed and dark gray. The irises are black. Their call is a nasal mewing sound sound.
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Indian birds- Image of Arctic jaeger - Stercorarius parasiticus
Indian birds - Picture of Arctic jaeger - Stercorarius parasiticus
Birds of India - Photo of Arctic jaeger - Stercorarius parasiticus by Donald Macauley
Birds of India - Picture of Arctic jaeger - Stercorarius parasiticus
Indian birds - Image of Arctic jaeger - Stercorarius parasiticus by Mike Prince
Indian birds - Photo of Arctic jaeger - Stercorarius parasiticus
Birds of India - Picture of Arctic jaeger - Stercorarius parasiticus by Andreas Trepte, www.photo-natur.net

Origin, geographical range and distribution

The Arctic jaeger species breeding population is distributed in the northern parts of Europe, Asia and America. The wintering populations occur in the oceanic coasts of Southern Hemisphere.

Some of the Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA) of the Arctic jaeger species in Iceland are Brunasandur and Úthérad. The IBA of these jaeger species in Russia are Lower Yuribey, Upper and Middle Yuribey and Valley of the Yorkutayakha river. The IBA of these species in Sweden is Outer Stockholm archipelago.

The IBA of these jaeger species in United Kingdom are Blackpark and Gutcher, Yell, Moorland Areas, Central Shetland, Crussa Field, the Heogs, Hill of Colvadale and Sobul. The IBA of these species in Norway are Andøya, Froan, Slettnes and Varanger Peninsula.

Ecosystem and habitat

These jaeger species do not normally occur in forests. They inhabit various natural, open, wetland, Arctic and tundra ecosystems. These jaeger species inhabit tundra grassland, shallow seas with macroalgae, seagrass or kelp, coastal upwelling regions, neritic subtidal areas with loose pebble, gravel, sand or mud and tundra wetlands. These species occur in altitudes from 0 to 700 meters.

Diet and feeding behavior

The diet of these Arctic jaeger species is mostly fish, robbed from other sea birds. The primary food is obtained by kleptoparasitism. They also feed occasionally on insects, small rodents, fledglings of other birds, small birds and bird eggs.

Reproduction and breeding habits

The breeding season of these jaeger species is during May and June. Nesting sites are scattered over dry tundras. The nest is an unlined scrape on the ground. Up to four olive brown eggs are laid. These jaegers are highly territorial and will fly at the head of any intruder.

Migration and movement patterns

The Arctic jaeger is a transequatorial migrant bird.
This species breeds on the northernmost coasts of America, Europe and Asia. Post breeding a small number may remain back in the Northern Hemisphere. These species winter in the coasts on major oceans, including Indian Ocean, Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Ocean. The southern coasts of South America, South Africa, Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia and Australia are the major wintering grounds.

Conservation and survival

The global population size of the Arctic jaeger (Stercorarius parasiticus) is estimated to be about 400,000-600,000 individual birds. The overall population size of these jaeger species is considered to be stable. Throughout its range it is reported to be fairly common. The generation length is 13.5 years. Their distribution size is about 148,000,000 sq.km.

The Arctic jaeger (Stercorarius parasiticus) does not approach the thresholds for being Vulnerable either under the range size criterion or under the population trend criterion or under the population size criterion. The human activities in the breeding grounds, climate change, severe weather, habitat shifting and alteration are the main threats that may endanger the survival of these jaeger species.

IUCN and CITES status

The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has categorized and evaluated the jaeger species and has listed it as of "Least Concern". CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) status is ‘Not Evaluated’ for the Arctic jaeger (Stercorarius parasiticus).
Taxonomy and scientific classification of Stercorarius parasiticus
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Aves
Order:Charadriiformes
Family:Stercorariidae
Subfamily:-
Genus:Stercorarius
Species:S. parasiticus
Binomial name:Stercorarius parasiticus
IUCN status listing:
Least Concern
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1.Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Arctic_skua_(Stercorarius_parasiticus)_on_an_ice_floe,_Svalbard.jpg
Image author: AWeith | License: CC BY-SA 4.0
2.Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Arctic_Skua_(7173609049).jpg
Image author: Donald Macauley | License: CC BY-SA 2.0 (as on 06-01-2016)
3.Image source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeprince/5040993681/in/photostream/
Image author: Mike Prince | License: CC BY 2.0 (as on 06-01-2016)
4.Image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Parasitic_Jaeger.jpg
Image author: Andreas Trepte, www.photo-natur.net | License: CC BY-SA 2.5 (as on 06-01-2016)
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Pomarine jaeger

   ›      ›   Pomarine jaeger - Stercorarius pomarinus.

The pomarine jaeger (Stercorarius pomarinus) belongs to the family of jaegers and skuas, Stercorariidae.

These jaeger species are highly migrant and breed in the far north of Europe, Asia and North America. The wintering population of pomarine jaeger species is distributed in the tropical and subtropical coasts of all major oceans. The breeding population is specialized in catching lemmings, which are the main diet of breeding jaeger. The pomarine jaeger is a monotypic species.

Overview & Quick Facts Description & Identification
Pictures of Pomarine jaeger Distribution & Range
Ecosystem & Habitat Diet & Feeding Behavior
Breeding Habits Migration & Movement Patterns
Conservation & Survival IUCN Status
Taxonomy & Classification Bird World

Pomarine jaeger - Overview

  • Scientific name: Stercorarius pomarinus
  • Species author: (Temminck, 1815)
  • Synonyms/Protonym: Lestris pomarinus Temminck, 1815
  • Family: Stercorariidae › Charadriiformes › Aves › Chordata › Animalia
  • Vernacular names: English: Pomarine jaeger, Chinese: 中贼鸥, French: Labbe pomarin, German: Spatelraubmöwe, Spanish: Págalo pomarino, Russian: Средний поморник, Japanese: トウゾクカモメ, Malay: Burung Pelangi Pomarin
  • Other names: pomarine skua, pomatorhine skua, Pomatorhine Jaeger
  • Distribution: breeds far north of Europe, Asia and North America; winters in coastal Americas, Africa, Europe, India, Southeast Asia, Australia
  • Diet and feeding habits: lemming, fish, carrion, scrap fish, smaller birds
  • IUCN status listing: Least Concern (LC)
The pomarine jaeger (Stercorarius pomarinus) is closely related to the great skua (Stercorarius skua).

Appearance, physical description and identification

The pomarine jaeger (Stercorarius pomarinus) is a large-sized bird, measuring 45 to 50 cm in length and weighing 550 to 900 grams.
The jaeger wingspan is 120 to 140 cm and the wing is long and broad. The overall plumage is grayish brown. There are three morphs. The light-morphs have brown back with white under parts. The dark morphs have dark brown plumage and the intermediate morphs have dark backs with somewhat paler underparts.

All these jaeger morphs have a white patch in the underwing, which flashes during flight. In breeding adults, there are two central tail feathers streamers, which are long and spoon-shaped. The irises are black. The pomarine jaeger call is a chattering noise and also "which-yew" sound.
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Birds of India - Image of Pomarine jaeger - Stercorarius pomarinus
Indian birds - Photo of Pomarine jaeger - Stercorarius pomarinus by Ronald Woan
Photo of Pomarine jaeger - Stercorarius pomarinus
Birds of India - Picture of Pomarine jaeger - Stercorarius pomarinus

Origin, geographical range and distribution

The breeding pomarine jaegers occur in far north Arctic tundras in Europe, Asia and North America. They undertake transequatorial over land migration and move to tropical and subtropical coasts, especially of Australia and Argentina.

The pomarine jaegers also occur in coasts of countries bordering Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, South Pacific Ocean, South Atlantic Ocean, southern part of North Atlantic Ocean, southern part of North Pacific Ocean and South China Sea.

The Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA) of pomarine jaeger species in United States are Barrow Canyon & Smith Bay, Beaufort Sea Shelf Edge 152W71N, Bering Sea Shelf 168W62N, Bering Sea Shelf 169W60N, Chukchi Sea Nearshore, Eastern Kodiak Island Marine and Icy Cape Marine. The IBAs of pomarine jaeger in Norway are Slettnes and Varanger Peninsula. The IBA in Russia is the Valley of the Yorkutayakha river.

Ecosystem and habitat

These jaeger species do not normally occur in forests. They inhabit various natural, open, wetland, Arctic and tundra ecosystems. The pomarine jaeger inhabit tundra grassland, shallow seas with macroalgae, seagrass or kelp, coastal upwelling regions, neritic subtidal areas with loose pebble, gravel, sand or mud and tundra wetlands.

Diet and feeding behavior

Outside the breeding season, the diet of these pomarine jaeger species is mostly fish. Lemmings are the primary food of the breeders. The jaeger is a specialist lemming hunter, in many instances digging open the burrows. The wintering birds feed on fish, carrion, fish scraps, smaller birds and rodents. Sometime the pomarine jaegers are kleptoparasitic, robbing gulls, terns and gannets of their catches.

Reproduction and breeding habits

The breeding season of these jaeger species starts from June in the Arctic tundras. Breeding sites are widely scattered over tundra. The pomarine jaeger nest is a scrape on the ground, rarely lined with grass. The clutch may consist of two or three olive-brown eggs. The jaegers are highly territorial and fly at the head of any intruder approaching their nest. The parents incubate and the eggs hatch in about 25 days.

Migration and movement patterns

These jaeger species are highly migratory and the breeding populations from northern Europe, Asia and North America move to tropical and subtropical coasts for wintering.
After the transequatorial migration, much of the population is distributed along the coastlines of Australia and Argentina. These jaeger species also migrate over land and disperse along the coasts of countries bordering Indian Ocean, Atlantic Ocean and Arabian Sea. Post breeding dispersal of the juveniles takes place. They may make local movements for feeding and breeding in their range.

Conservation and survival

The global population size of the pomarine jaeger (Stercorarius pomarinus) is estimated to be about 400,000 individual birds. The overall population size of these jaeger species is considered to be stable. Throughout its ranges it is reported to be common to uncommon. The generation length is 13.5 years.

The pomarine jaeger (Stercorarius pomarinus) does not approach the thresholds for being Vulnerable either under the range size criterion or under the population trend criterion or under the population size criterion.

There are no substantial threats that may endanger the survival of these species. Climate change, severe weather and habitat shifting and alteration may affect the survival, especially of the hatchlings and fledglings.

IUCN and CITES status

The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has categorized and evaluated the pomarine jaeger species and has listed it as of "Least Concern". CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) status is ‘Not Evaluated’ for the pomarine jaeger (Stercorarius pomarinus).
Taxonomy and scientific classification of Stercorarius pomarinus
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Aves
Order:Charadriiformes
Family:Stercorariidae
Subfamily:-
Genus:Stercorarius
Species:S. pomarinus
Binomial name:Stercorarius pomarinus
IUCN status listing:
Least Concern
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1.Image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Stercorarius_pomarinusPCCA20070623-3985B.jpg
Image author: Patrick Coin | License: CC BY-SA 2.5
2.Image source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/rwoan/28415787752/
Image author: Ronald Woan | License: CC BY-NC 2.0 (as on 2016-12-26)
3.Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pomarine_Skua_from_the_Crossley_ID_Guide_Britain_and_Ireland.jpg
Image author: Richard Crossley | License: CC BY-SA 3.0
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South polar skua

   ›      ›   South polar skua - Catharacta maccormicki.

The south polar skua (Catharacta maccormicki) belongs to the family of skuas, Stercorariidae.

These species of skuas are distributed in coastal Antarctica (breeding populations) and also in several countries bordering Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Oceans. The south polar skua is a vagrant visitor to Indian coasts. These skua species are trans-equatorial migrants, moving from their breeding grounds in coastal Antarctica to their wintering grounds far away in Arctic region.

South polar skua - Overview

  • Scientific name: Catharacta maccormicki
  • Species author: (Saunders, 1893)
  • Synonyms/Protonym: Stercorarius maccormicki H. Saunders, 1893
  • Family: Stercorariidae › Charadriiformes › Aves › Chordata › Animalia
  • Vernacular names: English: South polar skua, Chinese: 灰贼鸥, French: Labbe de McCormick, German: Antarktikskua, Spanish: Págalo polar, Russian: Южнополярный поморник, Japanese: ナンキョクオオトウゾクカモメ, Indonesian: Burung Skua Kutub, Malay: Burung Pelangi Antartik
  • Other names: Antarctic Jaeger, Antarctic Skua, McCormick's Jaeger, McCormick's Skua
  • Distribution: Coastal Antarctica, Countries bordering Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Oceans
  • Diet and feeding habits: fish, birds, rabbits, carrion
  • IUCN status listing: Least Concern (LC)
The south polar skua is closely related to the brown skua (Catharacta antarctica) and great skua (Catharacta skua).

Appearance, physical description and identification

The south polar skua (Catharacta maccormicki) is a large stocky gull-like bird, measuring 50 to 55 cm in length and weighing 900 to 1600 grams. The wingspan is 10 to 140 cm.


There are three morphs, pale, dark and intermediate. The paler morph adults have grayish brown upper parts and whitish head and underparts. The darker morph has dark grayish brown upperparts and straw-brown head and underparts. The bill is blackish, stubby and has hooked tip. The eyes and legs are black. The wings have white markings. Their call is a repeated "ah-ah-ah" sound.
Indian birds - Picture of South polar skua - Catharacta maccormicki
Birds of India - Image of South polar skua - Catharacta maccormicki
Birds of India - Picture of South polar skua - Catharacta maccormicki
Indian birds - South polar skua - Catharacta maccormicki by Tony Morris
Indian birds - Image of South polar skua - Catharacta maccormicki
Birds of India - Picture of South polar skua - Catharacta maccormicki

Origin, geographical range and distribution

The south polar skua is distributed in Coastal Antarctica (breeding populations) and also in several countries bordering Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Oceans. There are several Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA) of south polar skua species existing in Antarctica.

Some of the (IBA) of south polar skua species are Avian Island, Blue Glacier, Cape Chocolate, Cape Crozier, Ross Island, Caughley Beach, Cape Bird, Cierva Point, Dailey Islands, Edmonson Point, Half Moon Island, Hop Island, Rauer Islands, Lagotellerie Island, Point Hennequin, King George Island, Possession Island, Gregory Island and Franklin Island.

Ecosystem and habitat

These south polar skua species do not occur normally in forest. They inhabit various coastal marine ecosystems. They inhabit sea cliffs, rocky offshore islands, marine intertidal rocky shoreline and tide pools and also shallow marine areas with submerged kelp, seagrass and other macroalgae. They inhabit neritic marine areas with subtidal rocks, pebbles, mud and sand.

Diet and feeding habits

The diet of these species is mostly fish. They also feed on birds, rabbits and carrion. They are kleptoparasites and the fish is usually obtained by robbing gulls, terns and gannets of their catches. They exclusively feed on penguins, if their breeding colony is close to a penguin rookery.

Reproduction and breeding habits

The breeding season of these south polar skua species starts from November. Loose breeding colonies are located on relatively snow-free areas in the Antarctic coast with greater densities in the Ross Sea area. The nest is scraped ground and is unlined. Usually two eggs are laid. They intimidate and confront any intruder approaching their nest and make repeated high-speed stoop attacks on intruder.

Migration and movement patterns

These south polar skua species are fully migratory birds, undertaking a trans-equatorial migration.


They depart from their breeding grounds located throughout the Antarctic coast, especially in the Ross Sea area, in the month of March. Their wintering grounds of south polar skua are located as far north as Alaska (USA), Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Norway and Denmark. They return to the breeding grounds is in October and November.

Conservation status and concerns

The global population size of the south polar skua (Catharacta maccormicki) is estimated to be around 6000 to 15000 individual birds. The overall population size is considered to be stable. Their generation length is 17.1 years.

The south polar skua does not approach the thresholds for being Vulnerable either under the range size criterion or under the population trend criterion or under the population size criterion. The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has categorized and evaluated the south polar skua (Catharacta maccormicki) and has listed it as of "Least Concern".

Taxonomy and scientific classification of Catharacta maccormicki
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Aves
Order:Charadriiformes
Family:Stercorariidae
Subfamily:-
Genus:Catharacta
Species:C. maccormicki
Binomial name:Catharacta maccormicki
IUCN status listing:
Least Concern
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1.Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:South_polar_skua.jpg
Image author: Paride Legovini | License: CC BY-SA 4.0
2.Image source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/tonymorris/8053449594/
Image author: Tony Morris | License: CC BY-NC 2.0 (as on 2016-12-12)
3.Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:South_Polar_Skua_From_The_Crossley_ID_Guide_Eastern_Birds.jpg
Image author: Richard Crossley | License: CC BY-SA 3.0
Current topic in Birds of India: South polar skua - Catharacta maccormicki.
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