Arctic Skua
Stercorarius parasiticus
Length 46cm

Buoyant and graceful on the wing. Adult recognised in flight by deep, powerful wingbeats and narrow pointed wings with white patch near tip; also shows pointed tail streamers extending beyond wedge-shaped tail. Two different adult plumages: sooty brown dark phase and pale phase with dark cap, back and wings but plumage otherwise white except for yellow-buff wash to nape. Juvenile has chocolate-brown, heavily barred plumage and pointed, wedge-shaped tail. Breeds in N Scotland, Orkney and Shetland, present from May to August. Otherwise seen around coasts on migration in spring and autumn. Feeds by parasitising other seabirds.