Chilean Skua
Stercorarius chilensis
LCLeast Concern
- Family
- Jaegers and Skuas (Stercorariidae)
- Order
- Charadriiformes
Overview
The Chilean skua, also known as 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 Falkland skua are known from southern Argentina.
Chilean skuas feed on fish and other seabirds, as well as scraps, and carrion.
Summary from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Range and habitat
Breeds coasts of southern Chile and southern Argentina; ranges north to coasts of southern Peru and central Brazil.
Range description: AviList Global Avian Checklist.
Sources and further reading
- Wikipedia: Chilean skua
- eBird: sightings, maps and photos
- xeno-canto: sound recordings
- Birds of the World: full species account (subscription)
- BirdLife DataZone: status and threats
- IUCN Red List (threat status)
- AviList global checklist (taxonomy)
Last updated September 29, 2026.
