Birds
South Polar Skua
Stercorarius maccormicki · also called McCormick's skua
Recorded closer to the South Pole than any other bird on Earth, a south polar skua combines aggressive aerial piracy against other seabirds with direct predation on penguin eggs and chicks, then migrates as far as the Northern Hemisphere before returning each year to breed.
Overview
The south polar skua, Stercorarius maccormicki, is an aggressive predator and scavenger native to ocean and polar habitat across Antarctica and the surrounding Southern Ocean. Its record-setting penetration into the Antarctic interior, aerial food piracy, and predation on penguin colonies make it one of the more formidable and far-ranging seabirds found anywhere in the Southern Hemisphere.
A predator, a thief, and a record-holder
Few birds combine such a broad range of survival strategies as the south polar skua, which hunts, scavenges, steals food mid-flight from other seabirds, and still finds time each year for one of the longest migrations of any Antarctic-breeding bird.
Status
Least Concern, remaining widespread and generally stable across suitable Antarctic ocean and polar habitat.
South Polar Skua: common questions
How far south has the south polar skua been recorded?
This species has been recorded closer to the South Pole than any other bird species, occasionally venturing across the vast, frozen Antarctic interior far from any coastline in search of food or simply while passing through.
How does the south polar skua steal food from other birds?
This species frequently obtains food by aggressively harassing other seabirds in flight until they drop or regurgitate their catch, a feeding strategy called kleptoparasitism that supplements its own hunting and scavenging.
Does the south polar skua threaten penguin colonies?
Yes, this species regularly preys on penguin eggs and unattended chicks, taking advantage of the concentrated food source that large penguin colonies provide across the Antarctic breeding season.
How far does the south polar skua migrate?
This species undertakes extensive migrations outside the breeding season, with some individuals travelling as far as the Northern Hemisphere before returning to Antarctica each year to breed.