QUESTION:
Exactly what is a skua? 
        
                Jen C., Seventh Grader, Barbara Ryan's Class
                Dolan Middle School, Stamford, CT.


ANSWER from Donna Patterson, Research Assistant to Dr. Fraser,
            Palmer Station , Antarctica
            Wed, 12 Feb 1997 00:21:14 -0500
        

Hi Jen, 

A skua is a type of predatory gull.   People have compared skuas to 
eagles for their grace, intelligence, ability to adapt to their 
feeding conditions, and their fierce predatory skills.  Since they are 
scavengers as well as predators, they will feed on almost whatever 
is available.  There are six or seven different species of skuas, 
however, we only have two that nest around Palmer Station.   The 
Brown skua is larger and more of a predator- it feeds on penguin 
chicks and eggs in this area.  Brown skuas are more common on the 
northern end of the peninsula (about 200 miles away), but we only
have about 15 pairs here.   They have well-defined territories around 
penguin colonies which limits the number of breeding pairs.  South 
Polar skuas are found in greater numbers since they do not depend on 
the penguins to keep them alive.  They forage on fish and sometimes 
krill when fish are not available.   Both species are very long-lived 
birds with a maximum age of 70 years recorded.   It is sometimes 
difficult to raise chicks, but adult mortality is very low.   Low 
food supply and bad weather (a lot of rain or blizzards) will decrease 
the number of chicks that survive during a breeding season.   Skuas 
are very smart birds and the researchers that have been here for many 
years are convinced that the skuas remember them from season to 
season!

Thanks for your question!

Donna Patterson