South Polar Skua

The South Polar Skua breeds farther south than almost any other bird, nesting on the Antarctic continent and nearby islands. It shows more plumage variation than its northern relative, ranging from dark brown to pale grayish-buff morphs, and undertakes long transequatorial migrations into both the Atlantic and Pacific.

• Body feathers range from dark brown to pale grayish-buff depending on individual color morph, generally less warmly rufous-toned than the Great Skua
• A conspicuous white patch at the base of the primaries is present as in other skuas, showing as a bold flash in flight
• Pale-morph individuals can show a notably blond or straw-colored head and underparts contrasting with darker wings
• Flight feathers are broad and robust, built for sustained, powerful flight over open ocean
• Tail feathers are short and only slightly wedge-shaped, lacking elongated central feathers

• Adults occur in a spectrum from dark to pale morphs, with pale birds showing a blond head and body contrasting against darker wings and back
• Juveniles tend to be more uniformly colored and less variably marked than adults
• Sexes are alike in plumage
• A complete molt occurs on a schedule tied to the austral breeding season, offset from northern skuas due to the reversed hemisphere

This skua breeds on ice-free ground along the Antarctic coastline and on subantarctic islands, nesting near penguin colonies. Outside the breeding season it undertakes an extensive transequatorial migration, ranging widely over the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans, sometimes reaching far into the Northern Hemisphere.

South Polar Skuas prey heavily on penguin eggs and chicks at colonies and also scavenge carrion and ship discards, in addition to chasing other seabirds for food in piratical fashion. They nest in loose, spaced-out territories on open ground, defending nest sites aggressively. Vocalizations are harsh, guttural calls similar to those of other large skuas.