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South Polar Skua
Catharacta maccormicki
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Least Concern
Wingspan
77.4 cm
Weight
1315.0 g
Family
Stercorariidae
Order
Charadriiformes
About
South Polar Skua, 50–55 cm, breeds on the Antarctic continent — one of the world's most southerly breeding birds, recorded at the South Pole. Strong migratory; winters in the North Pacific and North Atlantic, crossing the equator. Polymorphic; feeds on penguins, fish, and krill. Circumglobal migration.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 77.4 cm | 30.5 in |
| Weight | 1315.0 g | 46.39 oz |
Habitat & Range
Conservation Status
Least Concern
IUCN Red List
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: SC. Incubation: 28-31 days. Fledging: 36-45 days.
Clutch Size
1-2
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes (Shorebirds & Gulls) |
| Family | Stercorariidae (Skuas & Jaegers) |
| Genus | Catharacta |
| Species | Catharacta maccormicki |
External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the South Polar Skua endangered?
The South Polar Skua has a conservation status of Least Concern.
How does the South Polar Skua nest?
Nest type: SC. Incubation: 28-31 days. Fledging: 36-45 days.
How big is the South Polar Skua?
The South Polar Skua has a wingspan of 77.4 cm, weight of 1315.0 g.
What order and family does the South Polar Skua belong to?
The South Polar Skua (Catharacta maccormicki) belongs to the order Charadriiformes and the family Stercorariidae.
Similar Birds
Other species in the Stercorariidae family