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.
Not certain it is a Great Skua? What bird is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
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