Classification
Skuas make up the genus Catharacta of the family Laridae, order Charadriiformes. In Great Britain the name is applied to birds classified in the genus Stercorarius. The great skua is classified as Catharacta skua.
Distribution
Only the great skua nests in the northern hemisphere, in western arctic Eurasia, spending the entire non breeding season at sea as far south as northern South America. The other skuas nest on coasts and islands from southern South America to Antarctica.
Behavior
All Skuas are fiercely predatory, and the two Skuas found in the southern Ocean, the Antarctic and the brown are no exception. Should and creature venture too close to a Skua’s nest, it will be attacked- lending it the nickname, “raptor of the south.”
Breeding
Skuas nest in rocky areas around the continent just to raise one chick.
Appearance
The number of Skua species is uncertain; there are five kinds, two or more of which may be the same species. All are large, brown, gull-like birds, fiercely predatory, 53 to 58 cm long, with powerful hooked bills.
Conclusion
As because scientists cannot get close enough to study them in detail, information about the Skua is scarce.