South Polar Skua vs Arctic Jaeger
Catharacta maccormicki compared with Stercorarius parasiticus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | South Polar Skua | Arctic Jaeger |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Catharacta maccormicki | Stercorarius parasiticus |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Stercorariidae | Stercorariidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 77.4 cm (30.5 in) | 62.1 cm (24.4 in) |
| Weight | 1315.0 g (46.39 oz) | 459.0 g (16.19 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-2 | 1-2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
South Polar Skua
Least Concern
Arctic Jaeger
About These Birds
South Polar Skua
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.
Arctic Jaeger
Arctic Jaeger (Parasitic Jaeger), 41–46 cm plus tail, is the commonest jaeger, breeding across Arctic tundra and wintering in tropical and subtropical seas. Highly piratical; pursues terns and gulls relentlessly to steal fish. Polymorphic: pale and dark morphs occur. Circumglobal migration through all oceans.