Difference between revisions of "Template:POTD protected"

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The '''[[Beardmore Glacier]]''' in [[Antarctica]] is one of the largest valley [[glacier]]s in the world, being 200 km (125 mi) long and having a width of 40 km (25 mi). It descends about 2,200 m (7,200 ft) from the Antarctic Plateau to the [[Ross Ice Shelf]] and is bordered by the Commonwealth Range of the [[Queen Maud Mountains]] on the eastern side and the Queen Alexandra Range of the Central [[Transantarctic Mountains]].
The '''[[Brown Skua]]''' is a large seabird that breeds in the subantarctic and [[Antarctica|Antarctic]] zones and moves further north when not breeding.


The glacier is one of the main passages through the Transantarctic Mountains to the great polar plateau beyond, and was one of the early routes to the [[South Pole]] despite its steep upward incline. The glacier was discovered and climbed by [[Ernest Shackleton]] during his Nimrod Expedition of 1908. Although Shackleton turned back before reaching the [[South Pole]], he established the first proven route towards the pole and, in doing so, became the first person to set foot upon the polar plateau.
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>Image credit: University of Maine </small></p>
<p><small>Photographer: Jenny Varley</small></p>
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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

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