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*White wing flash<br /> | *White wing flash<br /> | ||
| − | '''Dark Phase''' and Young are brown apart from the whitish patch near wing tip | + | '''Dark Phase''' and Young are brown apart from the whitish patch near wing tip. |
| − | '''Light Phase''' have creamy-white underparts, cheeks and neck (barred brown in winter) and a dark cap | + | '''Light Phase''' have creamy-white underparts, cheeks and neck (barred brown in winter) and a dark cap. |
| − | '''Intermediates''' have variable amounts of light and dark plumage: some are brown with dark cap, others brown with yellow neck-ring | + | '''Intermediates''' have variable amounts of light and dark plumage: some are brown with dark cap, others brown with yellow neck-ring. |
====Similar Species==== | ====Similar Species==== | ||
| − | [[Pomarine Skua]], [[Long-tailed Skua]] | + | [[Pomarine Skua]], [[Long-tailed Skua]]. |
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
Image:Juv flight 21IMG 6055ao.JPG|{{user|IanF|IanF}}<br />Juvenile, Seaton Snook, Cleveland, [[UK]] | Image:Juv flight 21IMG 6055ao.JPG|{{user|IanF|IanF}}<br />Juvenile, Seaton Snook, Cleveland, [[UK]] | ||
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==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
| − | Breeds on dry tundra, higher fells and islands. Otherwise pelagic but close to land | + | Breeds on dry tundra, higher fells and islands. Otherwise pelagic but close to land. |
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
| − | Jizz and behaviour-based [http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=15951 ID tips] | + | Jizz and behaviour-based. [http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=15951 ID tips] |
====Flight==== | ====Flight==== | ||
| − | Rather hawk-like and bouyant. Chases other birds | + | Rather hawk-like and bouyant. Chases other birds. |
====Breeding==== | ====Breeding==== | ||
Breeds in loose colonies<br /> | Breeds in loose colonies<br /> | ||
| − | Up to four olive-brown eggs are laid on the ground | + | Up to four olive-brown eggs are laid on the ground. |
====Diet==== | ====Diet==== | ||
| − | Diet includes lemmings and other rodents. Robs other birds of their fish catch | + | Diet includes lemmings and other rodents. Robs other birds of their fish catch. |
===Vocalisation=== | ===Vocalisation=== | ||
<flashmp3>Stercorarius parasiticus (song).mp3</flashmp3><br /> | <flashmp3>Stercorarius parasiticus (song).mp3</flashmp3><br /> | ||
Revision as of 18:17, 21 March 2009
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Alternative names: Arctic Skua, Parasitic Skua
- Stercorarius parasiticus
Identification
41-48 cm (including tail projection)
- Elongated central tail feathers (just noticeable in juveniles).
- White wing flash
Dark Phase and Young are brown apart from the whitish patch near wing tip.
Light Phase have creamy-white underparts, cheeks and neck (barred brown in winter) and a dark cap.
Intermediates have variable amounts of light and dark plumage: some are brown with dark cap, others brown with yellow neck-ring.
Similar Species
Pomarine Skua, Long-tailed Skua.
Distribution
Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Scandinavia, and northern Russia.
Taxonomy
Habitat
Breeds on dry tundra, higher fells and islands. Otherwise pelagic but close to land.
Behaviour
Jizz and behaviour-based. ID tips
Flight
Rather hawk-like and bouyant. Chases other birds.
Breeding
Breeds in loose colonies
Up to four olive-brown eggs are laid on the ground.
Diet
Diet includes lemmings and other rodents. Robs other birds of their fish catch.
Vocalisation
<flashmp3>Stercorarius parasiticus (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program
References
- Wikipedia
- Answers.com
- Birdwatchers Pocket Guide ISBN 1-85732-804-3
- Collins Pocket Guide to British Birds 1966
- Collins Field Guid 5th Edition
