Arctic Skua
The Arctic Skua (Stercorarius parasiticus), is a species of seabird that is found north of Eurasia and North America and as far south as northern Scotland. It nests on dry tundra, higher fells and islands. It is migratory and winters in the southern oceans and tropics. In North America this bird is known as the Parasitic Jaeger.
It is difficult to identify this bird as it closely resembles the Long-tailed Skua and Pomarine Skua. It also has three different color morphs. It is one of the smaller Skua species at about 16 inches in length (19 inches with the long central tail feathers in the summer adult). Light phase adults have a brown back, white underparts and dark primary feathers. The head and neck are yellow-white with a black cap. Dark phase adults are dark brown, and the middle phase birds are dark with paler underparts, head and neck.
Arctic Skuas feed on lemmings and other small rodents found on the breeding grounds. They will also rob gulls and terns of their food that is caught. It has great agility as it harasses its victims and shows this behavior throughout the year. When threatened by other animals or humans, the Arctic Skua will fly down at the head. Even though it cannot cause serious injury, an attack from the bird can inflict pain. It is usually silent except for some wailing some notes while on the breeding grounds. The female lays four olive-brown eggs.