Long-tailed Skua
Stercorarius longicaudus (Vieillot, 1819)
OG
LOTSK
5680
Family: Charadriiformes > Stercorariidae
A scarce but regular passage migrant. In spring Long-tailed Skuas are more regularly recorded along western coasts, but in autumn they are more regular on North Sea coasts. Small numbers are sometimes recorded from inland locations.
Select a topic for more facts and statistics about the Long-tailed Skua
Identification
Long-tailed Skua identification is often difficult. The following article may help when identifying Long-tailed Skua.
Identifying Skuas
Identifying skuas passing offshore in late summer is one of the great challenges of bird ID. There are clues to help us, however, and - with practice - most individuals can be identified. This workshop will point you in the right direction and help you to focus on the features and markings that will be most helpful when seawatching.
SONGS AND CALLS
Listen to example recordings of the main vocalisations of Long-tailed Skua, provided by xeno-canto contributors.
Call
Develop your bird ID skills with our training courses
Our interactive online courses are a great way to develop your bird identification skills, whether you're new to the hobby or a competent birder looking to hone your abilities.
Browse training coursesStatus and Trends
Population size and trends and patterns of distribution based on BTO surveys and atlases with data collected by BTO volunteers.
CONSERVATION STATUS
This species can be found on the following statutory and conservation listings and schedules.
| UK Birds of Conservation Concern | Green listed |
| Species of European Conservation Concern | Least Concern |
| IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (global) |
Least Concern 
|
| Schedule 1 license required (to disturb) | No |
| Birds Directive Annex 1 | No |
|
Listed on the Annexes of
|
Bern(III) |
POPULATION SIZE
| BOU Category | A |
|
First Record
|
1832 |
DISTRIBUTION
Long-tailed Skuas are scarce migrants on route to circumpolar breeding grounds. Occasionally birds may summer, as happened during 2008–11 on Shetland. Return passage is mostly in mid autumn but some birds linger into November and were recorded during the winter period of the 2007–11 atlas.
-
Britain and Ireland Breeding Distribution 2008-2011.
More from the Atlas Mapstore. -
Britain and Ireland Winter Distribution 2008-2011.
More from the Atlas Mapstore.
Occupied 10-km squares in UK
| No. occupied in breeding season | 1 |
| % occupied in breeding season | 0.03 |
| No. occupied in winter | 10 |
| % occupied in winter | 0.3 |
European Distribution Map
DISTRIBUTION CHANGE
| % change in range in winter (1981–84 to 2007–11) | +300% |
SEASONALITY
Long-tailed Skua is a scarce passage migrant. Spring passage is mostly confined to May, and return passage is mostly in September and October.
Movement
Information about movement and migration based on online bird portals (e.g. BirdTrack), Ringing schemes and tracking studies.
RINGING RECOVERIES
View a summary of recoveries in the Online Ringing Report.
Biology
Lifecycle and body size information about Long-tailed Skua, including statistics on nesting, eggs and lifespan based on BTO ringing and nest recording data.
PRODUCTIVITY & NESTING
|
Number of Broods
|
1 |
|
Egg Size
|
55×38 mm Weight = 41 g (of which 6% is shell) |
BIOMETRICS
Sample sizes are too small to report Biometrics for this species.
Feather measurements and photos on featherbase
CODES & CLASSIFICATION
|
Field Codes
|
2-letter: OG | 5-letter code: LOTSK | Euring: 5680 |
For information in another language (where available) click on a linked name
Links to more studies from ConservationEvidence.com
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