arctic skua
Definition
Noun: 1. A predatory seabird: The arctic skua is a species of seabird known for its aggressive behavior of chasing other birds to steal their food. It is a type of jaeger, belonging to the genus Stercorarius. 2. A specific bird species: Scientifically known as Stercorarius parasiticus, it is a long-winged bird that breeds in the Arctic and migrates to southern oceans.
Usage Examples
- The arctic skua is often seen harassing gulls and terns until they drop their catch.
- During our birdwatching trip, we spotted an arctic skua pursuing a puffin over the open water.
- The migration pattern of the arctic skua takes it from the high Arctic to the coasts of Africa and South America.
Advanced Usage
- In ecological context: The arctic skua is an example of kleptoparasitism, a feeding strategy where one animal steals food from another.
- The study focused on the success rate of the arctic skua's kleptoparasitic attacks.
Variants and Related Words
- Parasitic Jaeger: This is the direct alternative common name for the arctic skua.
- Skua: The general term for birds in the family Stercorariidae, which includes the arctic skua, great skua, and others.
- Jaeger: The general term (from the German word for "hunter") for the smaller, more agile skuas like the arctic skua.
Synonyms
- Parasitic jaeger
- (scientific name)
Related Phrases
- To skua (verb, informal): To forcibly take something from someone, derived from the bird's behavior.
- He managed to skua the last sandwich from his colleague.
Noun
-
a variety of jaeger
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