Subantarctic skua

Subantarctic skuas (Catharacta skua) have grey-brown or dark-brown wings with conspicuous white patches, a wedge-shaped tail, and a black, short heavy bill.

Subantarctic skuas have a far ranging distribution and can be found from the subantarctic to as far north as the subtropics, including Australian, New Zealand, South African and South American coasts. Small numbers of Subantarctic skuas have been observed foraging at Antarctic islands, but they do not breed there.

Although most adult birds leave their colonies during winter, on some islands off the coast of New Zealand, a large proportion of the population will stay near the colonies all year round.

Subantarctic skuas scavenge and predate upon other seabirds and their young, eggs, fish, molluscs, crustaceans and small mammals. Their diet is very broad depending on season and their locality.

Subantarctic skuas breed during summer months and will typically lay 2 eggs. They will often nest on elevated grasslands or in sheltered rocky areas adjacent to penguin colonies. They will defend their territories vigorously against all intruders including other skuas and petrel. Some birds choose not to nest in the colonies, but will establish solitary nesting sites.

The estimated lifespan of Subantarctic skuas is approximately 11 years.

Links

Taxonomic information on the Subantarctic skua

Australian Antarctic Science (AAS) projects relating to Subantarctic skua

Australian Antarctic Magazine - Heard Island's seabirds under scrutiny

Monitoring for long-term or cumulative impacts in Southern Ocean seabirds

See more information on the Australian Antarctic scientific research program