Dark morph
Arctic Skuas come in several different colour varieties.
Here’s the darkest:
Aren’t the feather patterns on its underwings beautiful?
They’re elegant and impressive birds.
It’s sitting here, on the Sands o’ Maesan, just waiting for a tern to catch a fish so it can head for it at astonishing speed in an effort to make it disgorge its catch.
For now, though, it’s just sitting here as the waves lap.
We both are.
More Arctic Skuas
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A Scootie Allan attacking a Mallimack A Scootie Allan attacking a Mallimack. An Arctic Skua attacking a Fulmar. A Stercorarius parasiticus attacking a Fulmarus glacialis. Dramatic, isn't… read more
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One Arctic Skua evening Arctic Skuas are one of my favourite birds. Their swept-back wings, hooked beaks and pointed tail feathers make a distinctive… read more
Juvenile Arctic Skua There's a juvenile Arctic Skua overhead. I'm getting amazing views. It's not from this year because it has very different… read more
Arctic Skua attacking a Kittiwake I've seen Great Skuas attacking juvenile Kittiwakes on Westray. They pluck them out of the air and peck them to… read more