Birds and wildlife

Arctic Skua

Stercorarius parasiticusGroup: SkuasUK Conservation status:Red

How to identify

The Arctic Skua is a medium-sized, dark seabird with pointed wings, which are pale at the tips. Often seen flying low and fast above the waves in pursuit of a tern or other bird, sometimes chasing it high into the air, twisting and turning, to make it drop its food. Arctic Skuas only come to land to breed, and can be aggressive towards intruders who stray into their breeding territory!

Call

Arctic Skua

Lauri Hallikainen / xeno-canto

Where and when to see them

In summer, the Arctic Skua is most easily seen in the Shetland and Orkney islands, also on some coastal moorlands of north and west Scotland. During migration, look for them from coasts in August and September, especially in areas near tern colonies where there are good numbers of feeding terns.

Key

  1. Resident
  2. Passage
  3. Summer
  4. Winter
* This map is intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.
  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

Where best to see them

Key facts