Mobile Menu Open Mobile Menu Close
back back back

South Polar Skua breeding colonies in the Ross Sea region, Antarctica

  • Publication Type

    Journal Article

  • Publication Year

    1986

  • Author(s)

    Ainley, D.G., Morrell, S.H., Wood, R.C.

  • Journal Name

    Notornis

  • Volume, Issue

    33, 3

  • Pagination

    155-163

  • Article Type

    Paper

Keywords

South Polar Skua, Antarctic Skua, Catharacta maccormicki, Ross Sea, breeding distribution, population size


South Polar Skua breeding colonies in the Ross Sea region, Antarctica

Notornis, 33 (3), 155-163

Ainley, D.G., Morrell, S.H., Wood, R.C. (1986)

Article Type: Paper

Attachment


Download

Using ground and aerial surveys between 1980 and 1983, we increased the number of known breeding sites of the South Polar Skua in the Ross Sea region from 21 to 55. Some 20 more sites may occur along parts of the coast which we did not survey, especially between Cape Adare and Cape Jones. We estimate that the Ross Sea region has about 15000 skuas. Up to 20% of breeders do not nest in association with penguins. Since the late 1950s, several colonies have increased, while others have decreased. Some colony changes have apparently been due to human activity. Information on banded birds indicates a low rate of exchange between colonies; some movement may be related to more food being available at refuse dumps at scientific bases.