About
Name: Arctic Skua, Parasitic Skua, Parasitic Jaeger (Stercorarius parasiticus)
Length: 40 to 50 cm
Weight: 300 to 650 grams
Location: Breeds in Northern North America, Europe, and Asia; winters in tropical and southern oceans
Conservation status: Least Concern
Diet: Fish, small mammals, small birds, insects
Appearance: Color varies by location. Light versions are brown with white undersides and a black cap. Darker versions have a dark brown back. All have white flashes on their wings.
How do Arctic Skuas feed?
Arctic Skuas often steal food from other birds by attacking them mid-flight to make them drop their catch.
Are Arctic Skuas social?
They form loose colonies during breeding season but are aggressive in defending their nests. Outside of breeding season, they may form small groups of up to 10 individuals.
How fast do Arctic Skuas fly?
Arctic Skuas can reach speeds of up to 50 km per hour.
What are Arctic Skua birthing rituals like?
They become sexually mature at about 3 years old. Nests are made on tundra and islands, either in loose colonies or solitary locations. Breeding season is from mid-May to mid-June. Clutches contain up to four eggs, and Skuas aggressively protect their nesting sites. Adults share incubation and rearing duties, and chicks leave the nest about 1 month after hatching.
How long do Arctic Skuas live?
They can live up to 25 years, although 12 years is more common.
How many Arctic Skuas are there today?
Population estimates range from 500,000 to 10 million individuals worldwide.
Do Arctic Skuas have any natural predators?
Arctic Foxes prey on their eggs and young.
7 Startling Arctic Skua Facts
- "Jaeger" means "hunter" in German.
- Despite being a northern bird, they have been spotted as far south as the South Pole during winter migration.
- Kleptoparasitism can account for up to 95% of their diet during winter migration.
- Their breeding time coincides with other birds like Puffins, providing ample opportunities for food theft.
- They are the most numerous Skua species breeding in the Arctic.
- Breeding Arctic Skuas have long streamers extending past their tails, up to 10.5 cm.
- The white flashes on their wings signal to other Skuas not to steal from them.
Best Deals
Alpine Peaks of Spitsbergen, Ski & Sail
08 May - 15 May 2025$ 3.750
Arctic Ocean - Fair Isle, Jan Mayen, Ice edge, Spitsbergen, Birding
31 May - 09 Jun 2025$ 2.900
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife
03 Jun - 10 Jun 2025$ 4.300
North Spitsbergen, Arctic Summer
08 Jun - 18 Jun 2025$ 5.350
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife
09 Jun - 16 Jun 2025$ 4.300
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Polar Bears, Bowhead Whales & more
10 Jun - 17 Jun 2025$ 4.300
Related Trips
Arctic
Longyearbyen
Alpine Peaks of Spitsbergen, Ski & Sail
08 May 2025 - 15 May 2025 
8 Days / 7 Nights
From $ 3.750 per person
Arctic
Aberdeen
Arctic Ocean - Fair Isle, Jan Mayen, Ice edge, Spitsbergen, Birding
31 May 2025 - 09 Jun 2025 10 Days / 9 Nights
From $ 2.900 per person
Arctic
Longyearbyen
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife
03 Jun 2025 - 10 Jun 2025 8 Days / 7 Nights
From $ 4.300 per person
Arctic
Longyearbyen
North Spitsbergen, Arctic Summer
08 Jun 2025 - 18 Jun 2025 11 Days / 10 Nights
From $ 5.350 per person
Arctic
Longyearbyen
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife
09 Jun 2025 - 16 Jun 2025 8 Days / 7 Nights
From $ 4.300 per person
Arctic
Longyearbyen
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Polar Bears, Bowhead Whales & more
10 Jun 2025 - 17 Jun 2025 8 Days / 7 Nights
From $ 4.300 per person
Arctic
Longyearbyen
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Into the pack ice - Polar Bear Special
12 Jun 2025 - 19 Jun 2025 8 Days / 7 Nights
From $ 4.300 per person
Arctic
Longyearbyen
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife - Summer Solstice
16 Jun 2025 - 23 Jun 2025 8 Days / 7 Nights
From $ 4.300 per person
Arctic
Longyearbyen
North Spitsbergen, Arctic Summer - Summer Solstice
18 Jun 2025 - 28 Jun 2025 11 Days / 10 Nights
From $ 5.350 per person
Arctic
Longyearbyen
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Into the pack ice - Summer Solstice - Polar Bear Special
19 Jun 2025 - 26 Jun 2025 8 Days / 7 Nights
From $ 4.300 per person
Arctic
Longyearbyen
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife
23 Jun 2025 - 30 Jun 2025 8 Days / 7 Nights
From $ 4.300 per person
Arctic
Longyearbyen
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife
24 Jun 2025 - 01 Jul 2025 8 Days / 7 Nights
From $ 4.300 per person
Blog
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.
Blog
Around Spitsbergen vs. North Spitsbergen
Svalbard, particularly Spitsbergen, was the first polar expedition cruise destination. It's no surprise that there are numerous trip programs available in this region. Among the most unique are the Around Spitsbergen and North Spitsbergen cruises.
Blog
Polar bear encounter in Spitsbergen
I watch the sea ice from the bridge of a ship in one of the fjords of Spitsbergen, an archipelago north of Norway. I observe a perfectly adapted animal moving on the ice, the results of hundreds of thousands of years of ecological fine-tuning. Snowshoe-sized paws distribute weight, fur handles the cold and sunlight to perfection, and an incredible sense of smell samples this monochromatic realm.
Blog
Spitsbergen: Alkefjellet magic
If they knew their way home, why not follow them? Equipped with GPS and compass, we approached the cliffs by zodiac. First, we heard the noise from the colony – the distinct calls of guillemots, kittiwakes, and Glaucous gulls. Then the cliffs gradually emerged from the mist.
Blog
A Bug’s Life in Svalbard
When you think about Svalbard wildlife, you might imagine reindeer, Arctic foxes, polar bears – the primary animal attractions that draw passengers to an Arctic cruise. But in fact, the Svalbard archipelago is a thriving location for over 1,000 species of terrestrial and freshwater invertebrates: animals that lack backbones. Despite this richness of life, however, these invertebrates are only found in the Isfjord and Kongsfjord areas of these wonderfully diverse islands.
Blog
Arctic Icon: 10 Facts about the Polar Bear
Polar bears are to the Arctic what penguins are to Antarctica.
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.
Blog
The Ice-Jewelled Geology of Spitsbergen
The Svalbard archipelago is located in the Arctic Ocean, roughly 660 km (410 miles) north of Norway's northernmost point. This region is a haven for geologists, boasting a rich geological history that spans from the Mesozoic era (65-245 million years ago) through the Cambrian era (570 million years ago) and back to the Archean era, over 3.5 billion years ago.
Blog
15 Toothy Facts About the Atlantic Walrus
The walrus is one of the most recognizable animals on the planet, and for good reason. Try sneaking into a cinema with those tusks!
Blog
Circumnavigating Spitsbergen
Many of our expedition cruises focus on specific areas of the Arctic or Antarctica, delving deep into local wildlife and other natural highlights. However, some programs aim to provide a broader survey, visiting a variety of sites to offer guests a wider perspective.
Blog
Svalbard a Disneyland for geologists
Svalbard is situated in the north-western corner of the Eurasian plate. Historically, Svalbard was part of a vast continent that included North America, Greenland, and Eurasia. At one point, both Northeast Greenland and Svalbard were submerged under the ocean before resurfacing.
Blog
Spitsbergen: a true polar bear trip
On the third day of our Svalbard cruise, we navigated through the sea ice north of Spitsbergen. The morning greeted us with fog and fragmented ice, but conditions gradually improved. A swarm of black-legged kittiwakes trailed behind us, as our ship stirred the waters, pushing aside ice floes to reveal the tiny dark polar cod beneath.
Blog
What’s so Special about East Spitsbergen?
We’ve previously discussed our north Spitsbergen journeys and Spitsbergen circumnavigations, but the eastern parts of this incredible island have not received the attention they deserve. Despite the name, our east Spitsbergen voyages explore much more than just the eastern side of Spitsbergen.
Blog
Solargraphy & Pin Hole photography in the Arctic
Blog
“The polar bear will still be there”
For several hours, we had been navigating the pack ice in search of polar bears. Despite numerous binoculars scanning the ice, no bears were visible, and only a few tracks were found. This suggested we might be in an area with fewer bears. Later that morning, we decided to head a few miles east, suspecting a higher bear population there.
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.
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.
Blog
The Arctic Borderland of Kongsfjorden, Svalbard
Kongsfjorden is a glacial fjord in Svalbard that hosts a diverse array of flora and fauna.
Blog
Birding Opportunities Abound in Spitsbergen
Seabirds are the most prevalent type of bird in Spitsbergen. Experts have estimated that there are 164 bird species that have been found throughout Spitsbergen at various points during recent history, but only 30 of them are known to turn to the Svalbard Islands as their primary breeding spot.
Blog
Six Must-See Svalbard Sites
It’s home to humanity’s last-ditch supply of crop seeds, the world’s northernmost settlement of over 1,000 people, and it is one of the best places on Earth to spot a polar bear.