The most familiar of the smaller skuas in the UK, breeding on offshore islands such as Handa and Shetland. It is circumpolar in its
breeding, and migrates to much the same areas as the previous species. All skuas are kleptoparasitic, but it is more common in this taxon, hence the name; it will doubtless
always be called Arctic Skua in Europe. It also seems to have a greater tendency towards differing colour morphs, although all three smaller species have light and dark phases.
Taken Handa Island June 2015
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HOMEPAGE