skuas of The Petrel Station
Tutukaka, New Zealand
Skuas bring speed, power, and often chaos to the offshore birding mix, and The Petrel Station seabird tours have recorded a solid diversity of these impressive seabirds.
5
SKUA SPECIES SEEN
It is always interesting when a Skua — or Jaeger — comes in and stirs things up with size, power, and aerobatic pirating behaviour. These are some of the most dynamic seabirds encountered offshore, and they always add excitement to a day on the water.
The Petrel Station seabird tours have recorded an outstanding mix of Skua species, including all those recorded in New Zealand. One of our seabird specialties is the South Polar Skua, which now appears semi-regularly on our spring trips.
Below are the Skua species recorded on The Petrel Station seabird tours, along with when they are most likely to be seen — although, as with all pelagic birding, surprises can always occur outside the usual pattern.
JUMP TO SPECIES:
South Polar Skua • Brown Skua • Long-tailed Skua • Arctic Skua • Pomarine Skua
South Polar Skua
SPECIALTY SEABIRD of The Petrel Station
When seen: October to December
Occurrence: Occasional seasonal migration visitor
Scientific name: Stercorarius maccormicki
South Polar Skuas are a semi-regular specialty of The Petrel Station seabird tours and a real treat to encounter offshore from Tutukaka. They are very scarce off the New Zealand mainland, so it is exciting that they turn up on some our spring season tours, from late October into December. This includes three sightings of the dark morph South Polar Skua, which is extremely rare in New Zealand waters.
These are large, stocky, powerful seabirds with broad wings, a heavy bill, and bold white flashes in the wings. When one comes in, they often stirs things up by harassing other seabirds for food. They are a real thrill to see, especially as they often come in impressively close.
They breed in Antarctica and disperse widely at sea, with the birds we encounter likely heading back to their breeding grounds in spring.
Brown SKUA
When seen: May to August
Occurrence: Ocassional visitor
Scientific name: Stercorarius antarcticus
Brown Skuas are large, heavy-set, powerful seabirds with broad wings, a strong bill, clawed feet, and distinctive white flashes in the wings. With a wingspan of over 1.5 metres, these stunning birds are always an impressive sight.
We can encounter them when they move north during the cooler autumn and winter months after breeding in the. southern oceans. Like other skuas, they are opportunistic predators and scavengers, and are often seen harassing other seabirds to steal their food.
Long-tailed SKUA
SPECIALTY SEABIRD of The Petrel Station
When seen: October to December
Occurrence: Occasional seasonal migration visitor
Scientific name: Stercorarius longicaudus
Long-tailed Skuas are scarce infrequent specialty of The Petrel Station seabird tours, and one we feel lucky to encounter a few each spring off Tutukaka. They are fairly uncommon off New Zealand so it’s always a special species to see. They often give excellent close views as they cruise around the other seabirds looking for a chance to steal food.
tWith a flight style more like a tern than a skua, they appear the most graceful and delicate of the group — at least until they lock onto another bird and launch into a fast, spectacular chase. They are lightly built, with long narrow wings, a small head, and a fine bill. They can occur in a wide range of plumages, which makes them especially interesting to birders trying to age and identify them.
They breed in the Arctic and are also referred to as Long-tailed Jaeger elsewhere.
Arctic SKUA
When seen: October to February.
Occurrence: Occasional visitor
Scientific name: Stercorarius parasiticus
Arctic Skuas are more common around New Zealand’s inshore coast in spring and summer, but are seen less often offshore. They are agile, fast, and highly entertaining birds to watch.
They mainly feed by chasing terns, gulls, and other seabirds until their target drops its catch, creating some spectacular aerial pursuits in the process. Like several other skuas, they can occur in a wide range of plumages, which makes them another interesting species to work through in the field.
They breed in the Arctic and are also referred to as Parasitic Jaeger elsewhere.
Pomarine SKUA
When seen: January (only encountered once)
Occurrence: Rare vagrant visitor to New Zealand
Scientific name: Stercorarius pomarinus
A very uncommon visitor to New Zealand, Pomarine Skuas are the largest of the jaeger group and an impressive bird to encounter, with their deep barrel chest and powerful flight style.
Like other skuas, they pursue other seabirds until they drop their food, allowing the skua to snatch it in mid-air or from the surface. They can also occur in a wide range of plumages, which makes them interesting birds to study when one does appear.
They breed in the Arctic and are also referred to as Pomarine Jaeger elsewhere.
This is just one group of the remarkable seabird diversity we’ve recorded on The Petrel Station seabird tours offshore from Tutukaka. Check out the other seabird groups we’ve recorded including Albatross, Petrels, Shearwaters, Storm Petrels, Prions and Other Seabird Species.
You can also visit our Seasons page for an overview of when different species are most likely to be encountered, and explore our past Tour Reports for a fascinating insight into what can be seen offshore on a seabird tour.
We also recommend the very informative www.nzbirdsonline.org.nz
Want to experience these amazing seabirds for yourself? Join The Petrel Station seabird tours for an unforgettable day offshore.