Long-tailed Skua

Stercorarius longicaudus

Rare passage migrants in Autumn & Spring in Britain & Ireland.

Breeds in Iceland, Norway & North America.

Winters in the South Pacific & South East Atlantic oceans.

These are known as Long-tailed Jaegers in North America.

Adults are unmistakable with grey back, dark primary wing feathers without a white "flash", black cap and very long tail.

Adults often hover over their breeding territories.

Juveniles are slimmer, longer-winged and more tern-like than Arctic Skuas with greyer shades, rather than brown.