Skuas are seabirds from the family Stercorariidae. There are a number of smaller species of skuas that are colloquially referred to as jaegers. Skuas take their name from the Faroese word skúgvur and the Faroe Islands are renowned globally for their incredibly colonies of skuas.
These birds nest on the ground in the cooler temperate climes and also in many Arctic regions, and they are long-distance migratory birds. Skuas will eat fish, offal and carrion and will also chase other sea birds to steal the food that they have just caught.
Larger types of skuas will also hunt and kill adult birds as large as gulls and terns, and when living on the breeding grounds they have been known to eat both lemmings and the young of other species, along with their eggs.
Skuas grow to become large birds and can be recognised by their grey or brown colouring, and white mottled patterns on the wings. Their webbed feet feature very sharp claws and their beaks have a small hooked tip.
Skuas themselves are closely related to gulls, auks, skimmers and waders and can be classified as either Stercorarius (smaller) or Catharacta (larger) skuas.
