The Great Skua is a powerful, heavily built seabird of the North Atlantic that regularly pursues other seabirds to steal their food — a behavior called kleptoparasitism. It is fierce and fearless, attacking birds as large as gannets and even humans who approach its nest. The all-brown plumage with white wing flashes and stocky build distinguish it from the similar South Polar Skua.
Habitat
Open North Atlantic Ocean; breeds on moorlands of Iceland and Scotland
Diet
Fish stolen from seabirds, plus direct predation of eggs and chicks
How common
Uncommon
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