Photo: Arthur Chapman / CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Chilean Skua
Stercorarius chilensis
Chilean Skua (Stercorarius chilensis) — Shorebirds, Gulls & Auks of South America.
Found across 4 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Chilean Skua (Stercorarius chilensis) is a member of the Stercorariidae family found in South America. Adults weigh 1.4 kg.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Charadriiformes
- Family Stercorariidae Skuas
- Genus Stercorarius
- Species chilensis
Quick facts
- Weight
- 1.4 kg
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Stercorariidae
- Order
- Charadriiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Chilean 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 Chilean Skua is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
The Chilean Skua (Stercorarius chilensis) is a species of bird in the Stercorariidae family, part of the order Charadriiformes. It occurs naturally across South America. Its distribution covers SA coastal sc Chile and se Argentina to Cape Horn.
It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 1.4 kg, with a wing length of about 38 cm and a tail of around 12.9 cm.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Chilean Skua?
The Chilean Skua is a very large bird that weighs around 1.4 kg.
Where does the Chilean Skua live?
The Chilean Skua is found across South America with a range covering SA coastal sc Chile and se Argentina to Cape Horn, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Chilean Skua belong to?
The Chilean Skua (Stercorarius chilensis) belongs to the Stercorariidae family, in the order Charadriiformes.
What does the Chilean Skua eat?
The Chilean Skua hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Chilean Skua migrate?
The Chilean Skua is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
What sound does the Chilean Skua make?
1 real field recording of the Chilean Skua — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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