Head to head
South Polar Skua vs Great Skua
South Polar Skua
VS Great Skua
These two large skuas are so alike that they are often described as southern and northern twins, despite breeding at opposite ends of the planet.
| South Polar Skua | Great Skua | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Stercorarius maccormicki | Stercorarius skua |
| Range | Antarctica and the Southern Ocean | North Atlantic |
| Distinguishing record | Recorded closer to the South Pole than any other bird | Nicknamed the bonxie in Shetland |
| Diet | Omnivore, steals food and preys on penguins | Fish, stolen catch, and other seabirds it kills directly |
| Migration | Travels as far as the Northern Hemisphere | Winters at sea across the Atlantic |
| Recent threats | Not documented as affected by avian flu | Hit hard by avian influenza since 2021 |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Habitat | Ocean, polar | Ocean, coastal |
South Polar Skua vs Great 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, a feat specific to its Antarctic range unlike the North Atlantic-based great skua.
Which one has been hit hard by avian influenza?
The great skua has been hit particularly hard, with severe losses at Scottish colonies since the 2021 outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza swept the North Atlantic.
Are the south polar skua and great skua closely related?
Yes, they are extremely closely related and nearly identical in appearance, often described as southern and northern counterparts of the same large skua group despite breeding at opposite ends of the Earth.