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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. | [[File:Brown Skua-Antarctica.jpg|thumb|right|Brown skua in courtship & mating ritual]] | ||
The '''brown skua''' (Stercorarius antarcticus), also known as the '''Antarctic skua''', or '''subantarctic skua''', is a large seabird that breeds in the subantarctic and [[Antarctica|Antarctic]] zones and moves further north when not breeding. | |||
Its taxonomy is highly complex and a matter of dispute, with some splitting it into two or three species: Falkland skua (''S. antarcticus''), Tristan skua (''S. hamiltoni''), and subantarctic skua (''S. lönnbergi''). To further confuse, it hybridizes with both the south polar and Chilean | Its taxonomy is highly complex and a matter of dispute, with some splitting it into two or three species: Falkland skua (''S. antarcticus''), Tristan skua (''S. hamiltoni''), and subantarctic skua (''S. lönnbergi''). To further confuse, it hybridizes with both the [[south polar skua]] and Chilean skua, and the entire group has been considered to be a subspecies of the great skua, a species otherwise restricted to the Northern Hemisphere. | ||
==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 | 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. | ||
[[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]]. | ||