Brown Skua

Stercorarius antarcticus

Brown Skua (Stercorarius antarcticus) — Shorebirds, Gulls & Auks of Oceans & Seabirds.

Field guide · LocationsWhere to see this bird

Found across 10 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.

Regional checklists

Birds of Argentina Birds of Australia Birds of Brazil Birds of India Birds of Kenya Birds of New Zealand Birds of Tanzania Birds of South Africa Birds of New South Wales Birds of Queensland

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The Brown Skua (Stercorarius antarcticus) is a member of the Stercorariidae family found in Antarctica and Oceans & Seabirds. Adults weigh 1.6 kg.

Where it fits

Class Aves
Order Charadriiformes
Family Stercorariidae Skuas
Genus Stercorarius
Species antarcticus

Where it lives

Southern oceans and coasts: coastal southern Argentina, Falkland Is., Tristan da Cunha group (south-central South Atlantic), subantarctic and Antarctic is. from Cape Horn to New Zealand region

Quick facts

Weight: 1.6 kg
Diet: Aquatic hunters
Family: Stercorariidae
Order: Charadriiformes
Habitat: Wetland, lake & coast

How to identify

Similar birds

Least Concern

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Brown Skua hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Behaviour

A bird of open sea and coastal waters, it is highly aerial, spending much of its time on the wing.

Migration

The Brown Skua is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.

The Brown Skua (Stercorarius antarcticus) is a species of bird in the Stercorariidae family, part of the order Charadriiformes. It occurs naturally across Antarctica and Oceans & Seabirds. Its distribution covers SO, AN southern oceans and coasts: coastal s Argentina, Falkland Is., Tristan da Cunha group (sc South Atlantic), subantarctic and Antarctic is. from Cape Horn to New Zealand region.

It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 1.6 kg, with a wing length of about 40.1 cm and a tail of around 14.8 cm.

Songs & calls

Brown Skua — Song

Recorded by Kevin Guille Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Brown Skua?

The Brown Skua is a very large bird that weighs around 1.6 kg.

Where does the Brown Skua live?

The Brown Skua is found across Antarctica and Oceans & Seabirds with a range covering SO, AN southern oceans and coasts: coastal s Argentina, Falkland Is., Tristan da Cunha group (sc South Atlantic), subantarctic and Antarctic is. from Cape Horn to New Zealand region, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.

What family does the Brown Skua belong to?

The Brown Skua (Stercorarius antarcticus) belongs to the Stercorariidae family, in the order Charadriiformes.

What does the Brown Skua eat?

The Brown Skua hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Does the Brown Skua migrate?

The Brown Skua is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.

What sound does the Brown Skua make?

1 real field recording of the Brown Skua — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.