Aves |
Charadriiformes |
Stercorariidae
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Pelagic. Polar
Indo-Pacific, Southwest Atlantic and Antarctic Atlantic. Subtropical to polar.
Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm Max length : 53.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 8812); max. published weight: 1.3 kg (Ref. 356)
Wing: 39.55 cm.
Wingspan: 127 cm (Ref. 8812). A pelagic, long-lived seabird. Breeds mainly along the coast and associated islands in the Antarctic continent, possibly extending inland in the South Shetland and South Orkney Islands; possibly the southernmost breeding bird in the world, recorded at Amundsen-Scott Station at the South Pole. In some localities, may be found nesting in sympatry with Brown Skuas (Stercorarius antarcticus) and notably feed exclusively at sea while Brown Skuas feed on land (Ref. 95073). However, where there is allopatric nesting, it forages both at sea and terrestrially, mainly on penguin eggs and chicks (Ref. 95081). Exhibits a variety of foraging tactics but feeds mainly on penguins and pelagic fish. First breeding at 7 to 9 years of age. Breeding pairs nest in areas without snow and ice; typically lays two eggs. Size of breeding colonies vary; the largest colony at Cape Crozier, Ross Island, with ca.1000 breeding pairs. At Cape Crozier, breeding span recorded at almost 16 years. Monogamous for multiple seasons and with high site-fidelity. Generally breed in association with Adelie Penguins and may be the only avian predator bearing a major impact on populations of breeding seabirds in the Antarctic (Ref. 95073).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Harrison, P. 1983 Seabirds an identification guide. Houton Muffin Company 488pp. 1600 painted in full color 324 distribution maps. (Ref. 8812)
IUCN Red List Status
(Ref. 130435: Version 2025-1)
CITES status (Ref. 108899)
Not Evaluated
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Human uses
| FishSource |
Tools
More information
Population dynamicsGrowthMax. ages / sizesLength-weight rel.Length-length rel.Length-frequenciesMass conversionAbundance Life cycleReproduction
Maturity
Fecundity
Spawning
Eggs
Egg development
Larvae
PhysiologyOxygen consumption
Human RelatedStamps, coins, misc.
Internet sources
Estimates based on models
Preferred temperature
(Ref.
115969): 0.2 - 18.2, mean 6.4 (based on 1318 cells).
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (K=10.07-40.21).
Fishing Vulnerability
Moderate vulnerability (41 of 100).
Price category
Unknown.
