Great Skua
A species of Jaegers Scientific name : Stercorarius skua Genus : Jaegers
Great Skua, A species of Jaegers
Botanical name: Stercorarius skua
Genus: Jaegers
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Description People often ask
Photo By Mike Pennington , used under CC-BY-SA-2.0 /Cropped and compressed from original 
Description
Great skuas measure 50–58 cm (20–23 in) long and have a 125–140 cm (49–55 in) wingspan. One study found that 112 males weighed an average of 1.27 kg (2.8 lb) and that 125 females weighed an average of 1.41 kg (3.1 lb). Adults are a streaked greyish brown, with a black cap, while juveniles are a warmer brown and unstreaked below. They have a short, blunt tail, and a powerful flight. The great skua's call is a harsh hah-hah-hah-hah; quacking and croaking noises have also been heard. Distinguishing this skua from the other North Atlantic skuas (parasitic jaeger, pomarine jaeger and long-tailed jaeger) is relatively straightforward. The herring gull size, massive barrel chest and white wing flashes of this bird are distinctive even at a distance. It is sometimes said to give the impression of a common buzzard. Identification of this skua is only complicated when it is necessary to distinguish it from the closely related large southern-hemisphere skuas. Despite its name, the great skua is marginally smaller on average than the other 3 large southern-hemisphere skuas, although not by enough to distinguish them by size in the field. Some authorities still regard the great skua as conspecific with some of these southern skuas, and as a group they have sometimes been separated in the genus Catharacta, although currently this taxonomy is not commonly followed. 
Size
56 cm (22 in)
Colors
Brown
Black
Bronze
Gray
White
Life Expectancy
33 years
Feeding Habits
Great Skua predominantly consumes fish, birds, and eggs, often appropriating other seabirds' catches via aerial confrontations. Its robust nature allows for forceful hunting, including direct attacks on similar-sized birds. Opportunistically, great Skua also eats carrion, rodents, and even berries, showcasing a varied diet.
Habitat
The great Skua is typically found in open ocean environments and breeds on remote islands with flat terrain and sparse vegetation. These birds select habitats that offer proximity to other seabird colonies, which they utilize for feeding behaviors such as kleptoparasitism. The great Skua tends to avoid areas with human activity and does not frequent land, except for occasional coastal foraging near continental shelves or during migrations, often influenced by onshore winds. During winter, great Skuas are drawn to regions with active fishing industries like the Bay of Biscay and waters off NW Africa, where they feed on discards from fishing vessels.
Nest Behavior
Pairs form in or near colonies with signaling displays. Both sexes build the nest and engage in aggressive displays nearby. Great Skua typically begins breeding around 7-8 years of age.
Nest Characteristics
Great Skua's nest is a shallow depression on the ground, often in open areas. It is lined with small amounts of plant material, reflecting minimalistic construction.
Dite type
Carnivorous
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Shorebirds Family
Skuas and jaegers Genus
Jaegers Species
Great Skua 
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