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Difference between revisions of "Brown Skua"
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[[File:Brown | [[File:Brown Skua-Antarctica.jpg|thumb|right|Brown skua in courtship & mating ritual]] | ||
The '''brown skua''' (Stercorarius antarcticus), also known as the '''Antarctic skua''', '''subantarctic skua''', is a large seabird that breeds in the subantarctic and [[Antarctica|Antarctic]] zones and moves further north when not breeding. | The '''brown skua''' (Stercorarius antarcticus), also known as the '''Antarctic skua''', '''subantarctic skua''', is a large seabird that breeds in the subantarctic and [[Antarctica|Antarctic]] zones and moves further north when not breeding. | ||
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==Diet== | ==Diet== | ||
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. | 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. | ||
[[File:Brown Suka eating chick.jpg|thumb|right|Brown Skua with a penguin chick]] | |||
In addition to fish, skuas also eat other birds, small mammals, eggs and carrion. They are the primary predators of the eggs of the [[Antarctic tern]]. | In addition to fish, skuas also eat other birds, small mammals, eggs and carrion. They are the primary predators of the eggs of the [[Antarctic tern]]. | ||