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South Polar skua live on open scree slopes, usually in close proximity to penguin colonies, 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 South Polar skua is a predatory seabird and produces two eggs. Of the two chicks often only one survives, this is in part a result of a baheaviour known as siblicide., Cape Bird, Ross Island, Antarctica, Restricted to staff and students of the University of Auckland, SBSAntarctica

South Polar skua have heavier bodies than their gull relatives, with a strong hook shaped bill., 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

The skua are seabirds of prey which can fly extremely well with their powerful wings, 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

South polar skua breed exclusively around the coast of Antarctica, nesting on open scree slopes, 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

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