Long-tailed Skua

Stercorarius longicaudus is the smallest skua and a long-distance migrant through New Zealand waters. It differs from Arctic skua through its lighter build, buoyant flight and very long flexible tail streamers in adults. Breeding adults have a grey back, pale head, dark cap and long central tail feathers. Juveniles are barred brown and require careful separation from other young skuas.

It breeds on Arctic tundra and crosses vast ocean areas during migration. New Zealand records are mainly pelagic and seasonal. At sea it takes small fish and marine invertebrates from the surface. On breeding grounds it feeds heavily on lemmings and insects.

The New Zealand classification is Migrant. Offshore pelagic trips from Kaikōura may encounter migrants, but sightings vary greatly by year.