Head to head
Brown Skua vs South Polar Skua
Brown Skua
VS South Polar Skua
These two skuas are so similar in appearance that even experienced observers can struggle to tell them apart, though their records and ranges differ.
| Brown Skua | South Polar Skua | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Stercorarius antarcticus | Stercorarius maccormicki |
| Size | The largest skua species | Smaller than the brown skua |
| Notable record | Not documented as holding a comparable record | Recorded closer to the South Pole than any other bird |
| Diet | Penguin eggs and chicks, fish, carrion, stolen food | Fish, penguin eggs and chicks, carrion, stolen food |
| Migration | Not documented as extensively migratory | Migrates as far as the Northern Hemisphere |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Population trend | Stable | Stable |
| Habitat | Ocean, polar, coastal | Ocean, polar |
Brown Skua vs South Polar Skua: common questions
Which one has been recorded closest to the South Pole?
The south polar skua holds this record, having been recorded closer to the South Pole than any other bird species, venturing across the frozen Antarctic interior far from any coastline.
Which one is the larger skua?
The brown skua is the larger of the two, holding the record as the largest of all skua species, though the south polar skua is nearly identical in appearance and closely related.
Which one migrates the furthest?
The south polar skua migrates furthest, with some individuals travelling as far as the Northern Hemisphere outside the breeding season, unlike the brown skua, which is not documented undertaking comparable journeys.