Difference between revisions of "Template:POTD protected"

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|style="padding:0 0.9em 0 0;" | [[File:Lichen-Usnea antarctica.jpg|300px]]
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'''''[[Usnea antarctica]]''''' is a shrub [[lichen]] found throughout the continent of [[Antarctica]] as well as on Subantarctic islands. This species of lichen is the [[National Symbols of Westarctica|national plant]] of [[Westarctica]]. It predominantly grows on exposed rock and can even be found growing on different sides of individual pebbles. ''U. antarctica'' has an extremely slow growth period and are among some of the longest-lived species on planet earth. An age of 200 years is typical for most specimens, however, the record age for ''U. antarctica'' is an estimated 4,500 years. In the Antarctic, its tendrils grow to a width of a few millimeters, while in the Subantarctic, they can grow to be over a foot in length. Specimens are plentiful at the abandoned [[Russkaya Station]] on the [[Ruppert Coast]] and have been studied as part of a research effort surrounding the soils of [[Marie Byrd Land]].
The '''[[Brown Skua]]''' is a large seabird that breeds in the subantarctic and [[Antarctica|Antarctic]] zones and moves further north when not breeding.


Brown skuas are masters of piracy, they often feed by stealing partially digested fish from the the beaks of other birds. Their victims are typically terns or [[penguin]]s, though other fish-eating species are also pursued until they disgorge their catches. The fact that skuas are swift and agile fliers (and that they sometimes gang up on a single victim) aid in their success rate. This is the heaviest species of skua and rivals even the largest gulls as the heaviest species in the shorebird order although not as large in length or wingspan.


<p><small>Photographer: T.Voekler</small></p>
<p><small>Photographer: Jenny Varley</small></p>
[[:Category:Images|'''(More Featured Images)''']]
[[:Category:Images|'''(More Images)''']]
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Latest revision as of 14:07, 16 April 2024

Brown Suka eating chick.jpg

The Brown Skua is a large seabird that breeds in the subantarctic and Antarctic zones and moves further north when not breeding.

Brown skuas are masters of piracy, they often feed by stealing partially digested fish from the the beaks of other birds. Their victims are typically terns or penguins, though other fish-eating species are also pursued until they disgorge their catches. The fact that skuas are swift and agile fliers (and that they sometimes gang up on a single victim) aid in their success rate. This is the heaviest species of skua and rivals even the largest gulls as the heaviest species in the shorebird order although not as large in length or wingspan.

Photographer: Jenny Varley

(More Images)

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