Prakruti Parichay
StercorariidaeStercorarius

Ar ctic Skua

stercorartus psraslticus

45–45 cmLarge
Beak
—
Feet
—
Crest
No crest

Visitor to coasts, mainly Pakistan. Smaller and more lightly built than Pomarine Skua, with slimmer bill and narrower-based wings. Adult breeding has pointed tip to elongated central tail feathers. Occurs in both pale and dark morphs. Adult non-breeding is as Pomarine but has more pointed tail-ti p. Juvenile more variable than juvenile Pomarine, ranging from grey and buff with heavy barring to completely blackish - brown. and many have rusty - orange to cinnamon-brown cast to head and nape (not found on Pomarine); except for all-dark juveniles, further distinctions from Pomarine are dark streaking on head and neck and pale tips to primaries. Commonly associates with terns and gulls. Normal flight is buoyant. with jerky wing - beats alternating with glides; swift, dashing and falcon-like when in pursuit. Coastal waters. often near mouths of major creeks. rivers and lagoons with roosting and feeding gulls and terns.

Colour

BrownGreyBuff / TanBlack
Average size
45 cm
Habitat
Coastal waters. often near mouths of major creeks. rivers and lagoons with roosting and feeding gulls and terns.
Behaviour
Visitor to coasts, mainly Pakistan., Commonly associates with terns and gulls. Normal flight is buoyant. with jerky wing - beats alternating with glides, swift, dashing and falcon-like when in pursuit.

About this bird

Visitor to coasts, mainly Pakistan. Smaller and more lightly built than Pomarine Skua, with slimmer bill and narrower-based wings. Adult breeding has pointed tip to elongated central tail feathers. Occurs in both pale and dark morphs. Adult non-breeding is as Pomarine but has more pointed tail-ti p. Juvenile more variable than juvenile Pomarine, ranging from grey and buff with heavy barring to completely blackish - brown. and many have rusty - orange to cinnamon-brown cast to head and nape (not found on Pomarine); except for all-dark juveniles, further distinctions from Pomarine are dark streaking on head and neck and pale tips to primaries. Commonly associates with terns and gulls. Normal flight is buoyant. with jerky wing - beats alternating with glides; swift, dashing and falcon-like when in pursuit. Coastal waters. often near mouths of major creeks. rivers and lagoons with roosting and feeding gulls and terns.

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Ar ctic Skua is bigger than Laggar Falcon but smaller than Greater Scaup.

This bird

Ar ctic Skua

stercorartus psraslticus

45–45 cm