Fierce And Feathered The Skuas Of Antarctica - Nexta Expeditions
Fierce and Feathered: the Skuas of Antarctica

Fierce and Feathered: the Skuas of Antarctica

At first glance, the skuas you encounter in Antarctica may appear to be merely darker-feathered seagulls. But looks can be deceiving.

In fact, skuas are one of Antarctica's top avian predators. There are two skua species in Antarctica, the brown skua and south polar skua. Both patrol King George Island in the South Shetlands as well as the nearby Antarctic Peninsula in search of prey.

And hapless biologists.

blog-image

Antarctica's two skuas: brown & south polar

Brown skuas are the larger of the two species and have brown bodies, sharp falcon-like bills, and tiny claws at the end of their webbed feet.

South polar skuas, the smaller of the two, have distinctive tan highlights to their feathers and tend to be more reserved than brown skuas.

Antarctica's South Shetland Islands are prime gold real estate for both skua species during the breeding season. The island chain's plentiful penguin populations, proximity to the ocean, and rocky nesting grounds make for an excellent breeding spot.

From October to March, scientists monitor skuas on a weekly basis, tracking egg laying, reading leg bands, and monitoring chicks.

blog-image

Establishing Antarctic skua territories

Brown skuas and south polar skuas share common breeding rituals.

Each skua pair has its own unique Antarctic breeding territory that they occupy during the breeding season. Once a breeding pair has established its territory, the pair scrapes a small depression in the ground in which to lay eggs.

Afterward, the skuas take turns incubating the eggs. One skua is in charge of sitting on the nest, the other looks for fish or cruises penguin colonies in search of prey.

The prime concern to skua eggs is that a rogue skua may threaten them, which can result in territory shifts during the breeding season.

blog-image

Researching skua whereabouts in Antarctica

Satellite-transmitting tags have been attached to skuas to monitor how far they travel for food and how long these trips last.

This information helps scientists understand the ecology of skuas and conserve their populations in Antarctica.

The GLS tags (global location sensing) can detect when a skuas have landed in water, when they are in flight, and when they’re on land. The information that is stored on the tags can be rendered into a detailed map to show their exact movements.

But first the tags must be placed on the skuas, which means the scientists have to trap them.

blog-image

The sharp intelligence of these Antarctic birds does not make this easy. A monofilament noose is the best tool, coupled with a net for backup.

The monofilament noose is placed on the ground within skua territory and is surrounded by raw meat to attract the birds.

When a skua's legs looks like it is inside the noose, the line is vigorously pulled and the skua is trapped. The GLS tag is placed on the skua's leg, then the bird is released. Two weeks later, it’s time to download all of the information that has been accumulating.

This means the scientists now have to recapture the skua. Lucky them.

Sometimes the skuas get the better of the scientists, flying off with the transmitter. Luckily the transmitter is harmless to the bird and eventually falls off.

blog-image

A skua never forgets

As mentioned, skuas are highly intelligent and known to launch defensive measures against researchers they don't like.

Researchers who repeatedly wear the same clothing, backpack, or even sunglasses can be identified and attacked on their way to nesting sites.

These skua attacks are far from pleasant.

The skua parent first makes "alarm calls," loud vocalizations that alert the other parent to an intruder. Together they then gang up on the intruder, pecking at the head and face, grabbing clothing, and dive-bombing.

The dive-bombing can be the most painful, as skuas aim for the head while simultaneously screaming at the top of their lungs.

In Antarctica, vengeance knows no mercy.

blog-image

When the skua chicks arrive

While skua eggs are still incubating, scientists record their length, width, and weight. Egg size and weight can be an indication of parental health.

Scientists keep track of how long the skua egg is incubated, and based on when it was laid they can predict the hatch date within two to three days.

When chicks arrive, scientists place a metal band with a unique numerical code on their legs that they wear the rest of their lives. With any luck, skua chicks that are banded will return to their hatching grounds the following year and rear chicks of their own.

blog-image

Antarctica's seasonal skua problems

The Antarctic ecosystem is a finely tuned apparatus.

What keeps the apparatus going on the South Shetlands and Antarctic Peninsula is krill and sea ice. As the western Antarctic Peninsula is experiencing an increase in the melting of sea ice, krill are left with nowhere to aggregate and breed.

Adélie, gentoo and chinstrap penguins rely on krill, timing their breeding schedules with the emergence of krill.

If penguins start laying their eggs at a different time every year to better line up their own breeding with krill breeding, this may mean bad news for skuas.

The reason for this is, skuas rely heavily on penguin eggs and chicks before laying their own eggs. If breeding cycles are out of synch, this can result in a decrease in resources for skuas.

On the South Shetland Islands, the ecological impact has resulted in an increase in how long skuas have to spend looking for food. This means more time spent away from chicks, who fall prey to other hungry skuas in the same predicament.

blog-image

Where you can see skuas in Antarctica

An Antarctica trip is always an adventure, yielding spectacular insights into the mysteries of the Southern Hemisphere.

But if skuas in particular have piqued your interest, an Antarctic Peninsula cruise is a great way to encounter both species. Their distinctive behavior and general boldness set them apart from most other birds in Antarctica.

Just don't go near their nests. For your own protection.

blog-image

Blog
go-leftgo-right

North Norway, Northern Lights, and All the Pretty Whales - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

North Norway, Northern Lights, and All the Pretty Whales

At first glance, visiting Northern Norway outside of a blazing-hot summer might seem daunting for the average traveler.
Exploration of the Polar Regions - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Exploration of the Polar Regions

From the Vikings via the first whale and seal hunters to Scott and Amundsen, from the maritime explorers Franklin and Nordenskiöld to present-day polar tourism, a quick tour through history reveals some of the aspects which motivated people to extend their horizons. Existential need, sheer curiosity, imperial greed, polar science, and a taste for adventure all converged in regions which pardon no mistakes.
Antarctica’s first Marine Protected Area - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Antarctica’s first Marine Protected Area

In October of this year, the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, which includes 24 countries such as the United States, the European Union, Australia, and New Zealand, reached a consensus on a New Zealand/United States proposal to establish a large-scale Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the Ross Sea region.
Arctic vs. Antarctica: A Traveler’s Guide - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Arctic vs. Antarctica: A Traveler’s Guide

Sunrises vs. sunsets, coffee vs. tea, Wonder Woman vs. Superman...
15 Fantastic Photos of Antarctica - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

15 Fantastic Photos of Antarctica

It is often said that it's impossible to take a bad picture in Antarctica.
16 Conversation-Starting Svalbard Facts - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

16 Conversation-Starting Svalbard Facts

It might seem odd that an icy, snowy, bear-packed cluster of islands at the edge of the world could be such a hotspot (so to speak) of outdoor tourism.
Polar Bears and Pack Ice: 22 Pics from North Spitsbergen - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Polar Bears and Pack Ice: 22 Pics from North Spitsbergen

Last month, we explored one of the premier Arctic cruise destinations in our North Spitsbergen blog. That post not only detailed our itinerary in this breathtaking region but also highlighted some of the stunning locations where you might encounter polar bears, whales, walruses, seals, seabirds, and the mesmerizing ice formations of the far north.
Life migrating through the Polar Front - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Life migrating through the Polar Front

Since James Cook’s second voyage to Antarctica from 1772-1775, which provided the first descriptions of Antarctic animals, scientists have progressively uncovered the biodiversity of the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic regions. Numerous expeditions and research projects have since been undertaken to understand the unique ecosystems of this continent.
Greenland's History: When Vikings Ruled the Ice Age - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Greenland's History: When Vikings Ruled the Ice Age

A Greenland cruise offers a journey into a rich history filled with intriguing details that captivate polar expedition enthusiasts. Among the most fascinating historical aspects is the fact that Vikings once ruled this land. Anthropologists and climate scientists have long studied Greenland to pinpoint when and why the Vikings left. Recent findings have shed new light on this historical culture.
Seizing the Season: Spitsbergen’s Late Spring, Early Summer - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Seizing the Season: Spitsbergen’s Late Spring, Early Summer

Most Arctic expedition cruises can be categorized into two main types: those that operate during the autumn and winter, focusing on the northern lights, and those that sail during the high season (mid to late summer), concentrating on a broader range of experiences.
10 Traits of Post-Ice-Age Greenland - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

10 Traits of Post-Ice-Age Greenland

Grasses, sedges, and other species of heath were the first arrivals, and are still commonly found in Greenland. Scientists have been able to work out how plants colonised Greenland by examining ancient pollen samples found in deposits at the bottom of lakes: Dwarf birch came to western Greenland around 9,000 years ago, and around 4,500 years ago – roughly the same time humans were first boating onto Greenland shores – green alders were taking up residence there.
Adélie penguins in the Ross Sea - Antarctica - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Adélie penguins in the Ross Sea - Antarctica

The Adélie penguin population in the Ross Sea has reached its highest numbers in 30 years, with up to a million breeding pairs during the summer. This accounts for about 38 percent of the entire Antarctic Adélie population.
The Small but Social Commerson’s Dolphin - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

The Small but Social Commerson’s Dolphin

Despite being one of the lesser-known Antarctic cetaceans, Commerson's dolphins are quite social and have been given various names over the years, including Piebald dolphins, skunk dolphins, and panda dolphins. These names have been in use since their discovery in 1767 by French naturalist Philibert Commerson.
Antarctic krill: Antarctica's Superfood - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Antarctic krill: Antarctica's Superfood

The size of a paper clip, pink, krill is a shrimp-like crustacean that does not look like much. Without them, though, the Earth's marine ecosystems would collapse completely.
Visiting the Nearly Unknown: New Zealand’s Campbell Island - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Visiting the Nearly Unknown: New Zealand’s Campbell Island

New Zealand is a renowned destination globally, and for good reason: It’s absolutely stunning. Almost every corner is filled with unparalleled beauty. But did you know that New Zealand includes several sub-Antarctic Islands that are almost completely unknown?
A Day of Whale Watching in Antarctica - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

A Day of Whale Watching in Antarctica

This morning we awoke early to enjoy the first light in Wilhelmina Bay, with the snow and cloud blanketing the surrounding mountains. As dawn broke, we could see the blows of humpback whales scattered throughout the bay. Some of the whales were closer to the ship and we spotted their small dorsal fins and occasionally their white patterned tails. It was a terrific start to our first full day in Antarctica.
Three Antarctica Cruise Deals - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Three Antarctica Cruise Deals

For many travelers, Antarctica represents the ultimate polar destination. Its vast white landscapes offer an endless array of surreal vistas, much of its unique wildlife is found nowhere else on Earth, and its complete lack of an indigenous human population provides a sense of untouched seclusion that few other places can match.
Experience King Penguins, Seals and More in South Georgia - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Experience King Penguins, Seals and More in South Georgia

One of the most remarkable aspects of South Georgia Island is its immense population of King penguins. This island serves as a significant breeding ground, and breathtaking aerial photos have captured the sight of hundreds of thousands of King penguins gathered together. This colony is known as the largest crèche in the world, making it one of the top destinations globally for observing King penguins.
International Polar Bear Day - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

International Polar Bear Day

It will come as no surprise to you that we're crazy about polar bears. We have multiple blogs about where to find polar bears, we offer dozens of polar bear trips, and we've even written a short story from a polar bear's point of view. (Yes, we actually did that.) So if you were to say that our love of polar bears borders on obsession, you wouldn't be far off.
Eight Engaging Reindeer Facts - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Eight Engaging Reindeer Facts

When we think about reindeer, we might also think of Saami herders or the holidays or teams of these beloved Arctic animals pulling a bell-covered sleigh across the nighttime sky. Only the first of these options, however, is something you're likely to encounter on an Arctic expedition cruise - and that's only in Northern Norway.