Skuas

Birds of North America

Stercorariidae

Lives, Habitats & Pictures of the Skuas

There are two types of skuas seen in the oceans surrounding North America. The larger skua of the two, is the Great Skua, this stocky brown plumaged seabird can be found far out at sea, mostly in the northern ocean waters. The South Polar Skua as the name suggests, is more commonly found in the southern regions of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Skuas are predators, much the same as jaegers and gulls, but are the largest and most aggressive of the group. These ocean birds are capable of catching and killing even birds as large as shearwaters. Being predators,they are opportunists, mostly seeking out smaller prey, sick or injured birds.

Click on the bird names listed below to see pictures of the Skuas

Great Skua