| Chilean skua | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Charadriiformes |
| Family: | Stercorariidae |
| Genus: | Stercorarius |
| Species: | S. chilensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Stercorarius chilensis (Bonaparte, 1857) | |
| Synonyms | |
| Catharacta chilensis | |
The Chilean skua, also called the cinnamon skua (Stercorarius chilensis), is a large predatory seabird, which breeds in Argentina and Chile, but ranges as far north as Brazil and Peru when not breeding. A relatively distinctive skua, it has a dark cap that contrasts with its cinnamon throat and lower face. Hybrids with the brown skua are known from southern Argentina.
While nowhere near the size of birds such as the wandering albatross, the Chilean skua makes up for it in sheer aggression towards other birds.
Chilean skuas feed on fish and other seabirds, as well as scraps, and carrion.
Notes
References
- ^ BirdLife International (2012). "Catharacta chilensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2013.