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South Polar Skua typically lay two eggs. The chicks are precocious and within a few hours of hatching are able to walk on there own are around there territory., Cape Bird, Ross Island, Antarctica, Restricted to staff and students of the University of Auckland, SBSAntarctica

The south polar skua is a large predatory seabird and has an average wing span of 1.3 metres., Cape Bird, Ross Island, Antarctica, Restricted to staff and students of the University of Auckland, SBSAntarctica

Skuas are predatory birds and, during breeding season, often nest near the penguin colonies on which they prey., Cape Bird, Ross Island, Antarctica, Restricted to staff and students of the University of Auckland, SBSAntarctica

The smaller south polar skua have an average wing span of 1.3m and breed around he continent., Cape Bird, Ross Island, Antarctica, Restricted to staff and students of the University of Auckland, SBSAntarctica

During breeding season skuas often nest close to the penguin or petrel colonies on which they prey., Cape Bird, Ross Island, Antarctica, Restricted to staff and students of the University of Auckland, SBSAntarctica

The South polar skua breed during the Antarctic summer months and typically lay two eggs. The nests are shallow depressions on the ground and are often found on beaches or rocky outcrops., Cape Bird, Ross Island, Antarctica, Restricted to staff and students of the University of Auckland, SBSAntarctica

Skua chicks are precocial, meaning that within just a few hours of hatching chicks are able to leave their nest and walk around., Cape Bird, Ross Island, Antarctica, Restricted to staff and students of the University of Auckland, SBSAntarctica

Skuas have heavier bodies than their gull relatives and stronger, more hooked bills, reflecting their more predatory lifestyle., Cape Bird, Ross Island, Antarctica, Restricted to staff and students of the University of Auckland, SBSAntarctica

Skuas have predominantly dark plumage with conspicuous white patches on the top and bottom of their wings., Cape Bird, Ross Island, Antarctica, Restricted to staff and students of the University of Auckland, SBSAntarctica

The smaller south polar skua have an average wing span of 1.3m and breed around he continent., Cape Bird, Ross Island, Antarctica, Restricted to staff and students of the University of Auckland, SBSAntarctica

South polar skuas are migratory birds that breed only on the Antarctic continent and nearby islands. Birds arrive at breeding areas in early spring just as the penguins are returning to their colonies., Cape Bird, Ross Island, Antarctica, Restricted to staff and students of the University of Auckland, SBSAntarctica

Skuas are true seabirds of prey and during the breeding season often nest near penguin colonies. Skua feed their chicks a diet of fish, squid, crustaceans, penguin eggs and chicks., Cape Bird, Ross Island, Antarctica, Restricted to staff and students of the University of Auckland, SBSAntarctica

Skua chicks must be protected from other predatory skuas and brooded regularly for the first couple of weeks after hatching., Cape Crozier, Ross Island, Antarctica, Restricted to staff and students of the University of Auckland, SBSAntarctica

Skuas are scavengers whose numbers tend to increase around human settlements. During breeding season they produce two eggs that are laid a number of days apart., Cape Crozier, Ross Island, Antarctica, Restricted to staff and students of the University of Auckland, SBSAntarctica

Penguins nest in large colonies to protect themselves from predators such as the south polar skua. As a result skua feeding is highly opportunistic., Cape Crozier, Ross Island, Antarctica, Restricted to staff and students of the University of Auckland, SBSAntarctica