Long-tailed Skua

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Long-tailed Skua in the UK

A scarce but regular passage migrant. It breeds on Arctic tundra and winters at sea in the southern Atlantic, passing Britain twice a year. Spring passage is brief and falls mostly in May. Autumn passage is longer, mainly September and October, with juveniles making up many of the birds. Numbers vary a lot from year to year with the wind. It does not breed in the UK, though the odd bird has summered in Shetland. The species is on the Green list.

Where and when to see a Long-tailed Skua

In spring, western coasts are best. The headland of Aird an Runair at RSPB Balranald on North Uist is the best-known site, with flocks passing in mid to late May during strong north-westerlies. In autumn switch to the North Sea, where seawatching points from Northumberland to Norfolk pick up birds in northerly gales from late August to October. A few appear at inland reservoirs after storms. Early morning watches give the most birds.

Habitat, diet and field notes

Habitat: Open sea (autumn passage).
Diet: Fish, lemmings (Arctic).
Field note: Tern-like elegance; long tail-streamers.

How to identify a Long-tailed Skua

Body size is close to a Black-headed Gull, with long slim wings and a light, tern-like flight. Adults have a neat black cap, a white neck and breast shading to a grey belly, and cold grey-brown upperparts that contrast with blackish flight feathers. The central tail streamers are very long and whip about in flight. White in the upperwing is limited to the shafts of the two outer feathers. Juveniles are cold grey-brown and barred, with a short blunt tail projection and a small bill.

Call and song

Silent at sea, which is how it is met in Britain. On the breeding grounds it gives sharp 'kree' calls and a rattling alarm. Heard something you cannot place? Bird Hear identifies UK birds from a 10 second recording, free in your browser.

Confusion species

• Arctic Skua: Arctic Skua is bulkier and more falcon-like, shows a bigger white flash in the wing, and has shorter pointed tail spikes.
• Pomarine Skua: Pomarine Skua is much heavier and barrel-chested, with a thick bill and blunt, twisted 'spoon' tail feathers.

Month by month

Numbers peak in May. See the May birding guide for what else is about. More on the season in British seabirds.

Taller bars mean more birds about. Grey means it is usually absent.

Conservation status and Birdedex points

In the Birdedex the Long-tailed Skua is a Rare tier bird, worth +8 points when you log one. It is not on the Red or Amber lists in Birds of Conservation Concern 5.

Recent UK sightings

Similar birds

• Pomarine SkuaRare · Open sea (passage)
• Arctic SkuaUncommon · Northern moors (summer); sea (passage)
• Great SkuaUncommon · Northern isles (summer)
• South Polar SkuaLegendary · Pelagic (very rare)
• Sooty ShearwaterRare · Open Atlantic (autumn passage)
• American Golden PloverRare · Coastal turf (autumn passage)

Long-tailed Skua: quick answers

Where can I see a Long-tailed Skua in the UK?

From a seawatching point with the right wind. North Uist in May is the most reliable place for adults in breeding plumage. In autumn, east coast headlands in a northerly blow are the best bet.

What does a Long-tailed Skua eat?

On the tundra it lives largely on lemmings and voles, plus insects and berries. Breeding success rises and falls with the lemming cycle. At sea it catches small fish and sometimes chases terns to steal their catch.

What is the difference between Long-tailed Skua and Arctic Skua?

Long-tailed is smaller, slimmer and greyer, with a more buoyant flight. Adult Long-tailed Skuas are pale-breasted, while many Arctic Skuas are all dark. On juveniles, look for the Long-tailed's colder grey tones and its short, thick-looking bill.

Kit that helps

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