Brown skua
Heaviest skua species, known for complex taxonomy and human recognition.
The brown skua (Stercorarius antarcticus) is a large seabird that breeds in subantarctic and Antarctic regions and migrates northward outside the breeding season. It goes by many names, including Antarctic skua, Subantarctic skua, southern great skua, southern skua, and hākoakoa (Māori). Its classification is highly debated; some experts split it into two or three species—the Falkland skua (S. antarcticus), Tristan skua (S. hamiltoni), and subantarctic skua (S. lonnbergi)—and it hybridizes with both the south polar and Chilean skuas. The entire group has also been considered a subspecies of the great skua, a species otherwise found only in the Northern Hemisphere.
This is the heaviest skua species, rivaling the largest gulls—the great black-backed gull and glaucous gull—as the heaviest bird in the shorebird order, though it is not as large in length or wingspan. It measures 52–64 cm (20–25 in) long, with a wingspan of 126–160 cm (50–63 in) and a body mass of 1.2–2.18 kg (2.6–4.8 lb). On Gough Island, S. a. hamiltoni averaged 1.43 kg (3.2 lb) in nine males and 1.65 kg (3.6 lb) in nine females. In the Chatham Islands, S. a. lonnbergi averaged 1.73 kg (3.8 lb) in 30 males and 1.93 kg (4.3 lb) in 32 females—one of the highest colony mean body masses for any living shorebird. A 2016 study found that brown skuas can identify individual humans, suggesting high cognitive abilities. They have also been observed bonding with people who live long-term in Antarctica, such as Eastern Orthodox clergymen at Trinity Church, and engaging in playful or mischievous behavior.
Three subspecies are recognized: S. a. lonnbergi (subantarctic), S. a. antarcticus (Falkland Islands), and S. a. hamiltoni (Tristan da Cunha). The brown skua feeds on fish (often through kleptoparasitism), penguin chicks and other seabirds, small mammals, eggs, and carrion.
- Scientific name
- Stercorarius antarcticus
- Length
- 52–64 cm (20–25 in)
- Wingspan
- 126–160 cm (50–63 in)
- Body mass
- 1.2–2.18 kg (2.6–4.8 lb)
- Subspecies
- S. a. lonnbergi, S. a. antarcticus, S. a. hamiltoni
- Heaviest skua species
- Yes
Lore & Background
The brown skua is the heaviest species of skua and rivals the largest gulls as the heaviest species in the shorebird order, though not as large in length or wingspan. A study in 2016 reported that brown skuas can identify individual human beings, possibly indicating high cognitive abilities. Brown skuas have been noted for sometimes bonding with humans who live for extended periods in Antarctica, such as the Eastern Orthodox clergymen at Trinity Church, and engaging in playful or apparently mischievous behavior with them.
Reader's Guide
The brown skua's significance lies in its disputed taxonomy and its role as a top predator in subantarctic and Antarctic ecosystems. Its taxonomy is highly complex, with some authorities splitting it into the Falkland skua (S. antarcticus), Tristan skua (S. hamiltoni), and subantarctic skua (S. lonnbergi), while others consider the entire group a subspecies of the great skua, a species otherwise restricted to the Northern Hemisphere. This uncertainty, along with hybridization with south polar and Chilean skuas, makes it a subject of ongoing ornithological research. The species also demonstrates notable cognitive abilities, as a 2016 study found it can identify individual humans, and it has been observed forming bonds with Antarctic residents. Its diet includes fish (often obtained via kleptoparasitism), penguin chicks, other seabirds, small mammals, eggs, and carrion, highlighting its opportunistic feeding strategy. The brown skua's large size and behavioral adaptability contribute to its ecological importance in harsh southern environments.
Did You Know?
- The brown skua is the heaviest species of skua, with a body mass of 1.2–2.18 kg.
- A 2016 study reported that brown skuas can identify individual human beings.
- Brown skuas have been noted for bonding with Eastern Orthodox clergymen at Trinity Church in Antarctica.
- Its taxonomy is disputed, with some splitting it into two or three species and it hybridizes with south polar and Chilean skuas.
More in Birds of subantarctic islands 1-24
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