Stercorariidae Collection

Brown skua (Stercorarius antarcticus), Ronge Island, Antarctica

Sub-Antarctic / Brown skua (Stercorarius antarcticus) flying away with egg stolen from a Royal penguin colony (Eudyptes schlegeli), Macquarie Island, Australian Territory. December

F. 38 Gull called Port Egmont hen. Seen lat. 50 S. 1772-75 (w / c)
5670812 F.38 Gull called Port Egmont hen. Seen lat. 50 S. 1772-75 (w/c) by Smith, Isaac (1753-1831); Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales; (add.info.: South Sea birds)

Subantarctic or Brown skua (Stercorarius antarcticus) stealing an egg from a Royal penguin colony (Eudyptes schlegeli) on Macquarie Island, Australian Territory

Pomarine skua (Stercorarius pomarinus) in flight. Durham, UK. September

Great skua (Stercorarius skua) in flight and spectacular coastline with sea stacks and cliffs, home to breeding sea birds at Hermaness, Unst, Shetland Islands, Scotland. May 2018. Digital composite

Great Skua (Stercorarius skua) silhouetted at sunrise, Fair Isle, Shetland, Scotland, UK, June

Brown Skua (Stercorarius antarcticus lonnbergi) scavenge for food near a penguin colony, Falkland Islands

South Polar Skua -Stercorarius maccormicki-, showing white wing patches, aggressive behavior, a gesture of intimidation, Whalers Bay, Deception Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctic Peninsula

Skua -Stercorarius skua- in flight, Mykines, Faroe Islands, Denmark

Long-tailed jaeger -Stercorarius longicaudus-, flying, grey skies, tundra, Norway

Stercoraarius pomarinus, pomarine skua
Pomarine skua egg specimens

Stercorarius pomarinus, Pomarine skua
Plate 253 from John James Audubons Birds of America, original double elephant folio (1834-35), hand-coloured aquatint. Engraved, printed and coloured by R. Havell (& Son), London

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The Sub-Antarctic skies come alive as the Brown Skua, scientifically known as Stercorariidae, takes flight. With its sleek wings spread wide, it soars effortlessly through the air, a master of aerial acrobatics. In one daring move, a Brown Skua steals an egg from a F. 38 Gull called Port Egmont hen. This cunning thief is no stranger to mischief and has been spotted in latitudes 50 S between 1772-75. Its stealthy maneuvers leave the gull bewildered and empty-handed. Not far away, another Subantarctic or Brown Skua swoops down to snatch an egg from a Royal Pomarine Skua in mid-flight. A battle for survival unfolds in the skies as these skilled predators compete for their next meal. From Durham, UK to Ronge Island in Antarctica, the Brown Skua's presence is felt across continents. It navigates diverse landscapes with ease and grace, always on the lookout for food opportunities. Over breathtaking coastlines adorned with majestic sea stacks, a Great Skua takes flight alongside its fellow seabirds. The sight is nothing short of awe-inspiring; nature's beauty blending seamlessly with these magnificent creatures' freedom of flight. As dawn breaks over Fair Isle in Shetland, Scotland, a silhouette emerges against the vibrant sunrise sky - it's none other than the Great Skua heralding a new day. Its dark outline stands out against nature's canvas like poetry written by Mother Earth herself. In defense mode near King penguins gather together against potential threats nearby lies their protector -the Northern Rockhopper Penguin accompanied by its loyal companion: The Brown skua watches closely but dares not challenge this united front. Scavenging for sustenance near bustling penguin colonies becomes routine for Lonbergi subspecies of Brown skua found perched on Falkland Islands ground searching tirelessly for nourishment. Their resourcefulness and adaptability are truly remarkable.