Birds Active during the day

Great Skua

Stercorarius skua

iNaturalist eBird Wikipedia

The formidable 'Bonxie' is a master of the North Atlantic, known for its pirate-like aerial chases and fearless defense of its territory.

0 Sightings

0 Habitats

Quick Identification

straighten

Size

Length 50–58 cm (20–23 in); wingspan 125–140 cm (49–55 in); weight 1.1–1.6 kg (2.4–3.5 lbs)

palette

Colors

Uniformly dark sepia-brown with golden or light-brown streaking on the neck and back. Prominent white flashes at the base of the primary flight feathers are visible in flight.

visibility

Key Features

Heavy, barrel-chested build
White 'flashes' on wings visible in flight
Thick, hooked black bill
Short, blunt tail with central feathers that do not project significantly

When You’ll See Them

schedule

Activity pattern Active during the day

brightness_5

Peak hours 7-11 AM, 3-7 PM

calendar_month

Season May-August (Breeding season)

restaurant

Diet Opportunistic carnivore; eats fish (often stolen from other birds), sandeels, eggs, and smaller birds like puffins and kittiwakes. Also scavenges fisheries' discards.

park

Habitat Coastal moorland and grassy islands for breeding; open ocean and pelagic waters during winter.

public Geographic range

Where Does the Great Skua Live?

The Great Skua is primarily a bird of the North Atlantic, with its core breeding populations found in Scotland (particularly Shetland and Orkney), Iceland, the Faroe Islands, and coastal Norway. They are highly maritime birds that spend the majority of their lives on the wing or on the water. During the winter, they migrate south across the Atlantic, reaching the coasts of Spain, North Africa, and occasionally venturing as far as the eastern United States and the Grand Banks of Newfoundland. Write engaging, crawlable prose suitable for an SEO-optimized section titled 'Where Does the Great Skua Live?'

Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors

8 Countries

5.4M km² Range

Least Concern Conservation

GB United Kingdom Iceland Faroe Islands NO Norway ES Spain US United States CA Canada Morocco

eco

iNaturalist / Verified observation data

View on iNaturalist open_in_new

Explore more Birds arrow_forward

Behavior

The Great Skua, or 'Bonxie,' is a formidable and aggressive seabird known for its role as the apex predator of the northern skies. They are famous for their kleptoparasitic lifestyle, frequently harassing other seabirds like gannets and puffins in mid-air until they regurgitate their catch, which the skua then expertly catches before it hits the water.

During the breeding season, they are intensely territorial and fearless. They are well-known for 'dive-bombing' any intruder that approaches their nest on the coastal moorland, including humans and large dogs, often making physical contact with their feet or wings. Outside of the breeding season, they lead a more solitary life at sea, though they may congregate around fishing vessels to scavenge for offal.

photo_camera EverydayEarth exclusive

Camera Tips

If you live in a coastal area near a breeding colony, capturing a Great Skua on camera requires a setup that can handle high-speed action and harsh weather. Place your camera on an elevated vantage point overlooking the sea or near coastal cliffs where these birds frequently patrol. Because they are often in flight, a camera with a fast trigger speed and high-frame-rate video capability is essential to catch their dramatic aerial maneuvers.

Great Skuas are highly territorial, so if you are setting up a trail camera near a suspected nesting site on moorland, ensure it is low-profile and well-secured. These birds have been known to investigate and even peck at unfamiliar objects in their territory. Mounting the camera on a heavy, low-to-the-ground stake rather than a high post may prevent it from being used as a perch, which could result in a lens full of bird droppings.

While we don't recommend baiting wild predators, placing a camera near natural 'scavenge sites' like a shore where fish frequently wash up or near a safe distance from a bird colony can yield excellent results. They are most active during the day, particularly when other seabirds are returning from fishing trips. Set your camera for 'burst mode' to increase your chances of capturing the moment they flash their distinctive white wing patches.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Great Skua.

South Polar Skua

Smaller and slimmer; often shows a paler 'collar' on the back of the neck and lacks the heavy streaking of the Great Skua.

Arctic Skua

Significantly smaller and more agile with pointed tail streamers; often has a much paler belly or a distinct dark cap.

Browse all Birds arrow_forward

Frequently Asked Questions

Bonxie is the traditional Scottish name for the Great Skua, a term originating from the Shetland Islands, referring to the bird's heavy, robust build.

During the nesting season, Great Skuas can be very aggressive. They will dive-bomb anyone who gets too close to their nest, sometimes striking the head with their feet. It is best to hold a stick or umbrella above your head if you find yourself in their territory.

They have a varied diet including fish, which they often steal from other birds. They also hunt smaller seabirds, eat eggs, and scavenge for fish offal behind boats.

While similar in size, Great Skuas are much bulkier and darker brown. The most obvious difference is the large white patch at the base of the flight feathers on a skua's wing, which gulls lack.

The best locations are the northern isles of Scotland, particularly Shetland and Orkney, as well as the coastlines of Iceland and the Faroe Islands during the summer months.

Record Great Skua at your habitat

Connect a camera to start building your own species record — AI identifies every visitor automatically.

Join free Identify a photo