Arctic Skua

Shot taken during my trip to the province of Nord Trondelag in Norway. Best regards, Harry

That's a great bird shot. Nice capture. Good Crop.

nice shot!!

Nice capture harry, what is this bird? regards, RK!

Arctic skua

Stercorarius parasiticus

AKA: Parasitic jaeger (N America)

 

A medium-sized dark-looking seabird with pointed wings, and pale patches at the wingtips. Often seen flying low and fast above the waves in pursuit of a tern or other bird, sometimes chasing it high into the air, twisting and turning, to make it drop its food. It comes to land only to breed and is aggressive towards intruders into its breeding territory.

Where does it live?

Breeding

Coastal moorland and tundra (in north), sometimes up to 10km inland.

Wintering

At sea, associating with other pelagic seabirds.

Passage

At sea, in coastal waters, often following migrating terns

Where to see it

In summer it is most easily seen in the Shetland and Orkney islands, and on some coastal moorlands of north and west Scotland; on passage best looked for from coasts in August and September, especially in areas near tern colonies where there are good numbers of feeding terns.

What does it eat?

Mainly fish, some eggs and young birds.

What does it sound like?

Call is a loud 'cack-cack-cack'

When to see it

Summer (on breeding grounds) and spring and autumn (on passage).

Hi Harry I just stumbled across your portfolio and this photo- I am not really into photographing birds myself but i really appriciated this photo. Its a gorgeous bird and you've captured it really well- I am from Shetland and have seen a few Arctic Skau's or 'Bonxies' as there known back home, I've been swoped on too! Great photo- all the best Craig

Harry...it's great to see a shot like this with a D200!! i've only had mine for a few weeks now and i'm really digging it. i hope to have shots like this in my portfolio after a bit!

 

Great capture...thanks for sharing!