Great Skua vs Pomarine Jaeger

Catharacta skua compared with Stercorarius pomarinus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Great Skua Pomarine Jaeger
Scientific Name Catharacta skua Stercorarius pomarinus
Order Charadriiformes Charadriiformes
Family Stercorariidae Stercorariidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 78.9 cm (31.1 in) 70.2 cm (27.6 in)
Weight 1370.0 g (48.33 oz) 760.5 g (26.83 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 1-2 2
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Great Skua only

None

Pomarine Jaeger only

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Great Skua

Least Concern

Pomarine Jaeger

About These Birds

Great Skua

Great Skua, 50–58 cm, wingspan 125–140 cm, is a powerful pirate of the North Atlantic, breeding in Iceland, Faroe Islands, and Scotland. Dark brown with white wing flashes. Attacks gannets and kittiwakes to steal fish; also kills other seabirds outright. Winters pelagically in the Atlantic.

Pomarine Jaeger

Pomarine Jaeger, 46–51 cm plus twisted spoon-shaped central tail feathers, is the largest of the three small jaegers. Breeds on Russian and Canadian Arctic tundra; lemming-dependent on breeding grounds. Heavily built; pirates food from other seabirds at sea and scavenges at whale carcasses. Pelagic in winter.

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