Length 45 cm.
Weight 350-500 g.
Wingspan 1,2 m.
Status Fairly Common
Migrant Yes 100%
Painting courtesy of.
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The Arctic Skua can be found all over the country. They arrive in early may and their breeding areas are sandy areas and marshes often near the sea. Their food is mostly animals and they steal food from seabirds by forcing them to release their catch and even have them vomit food. They also take eggs, chicks and even small birds. Insects, berries and some plants are on their menu too. The bird is aggressive when people get close to it's nest and dives very close in an attempt to drive unwanted visitors away. Two other spices that are similar to the Arctic Skua, Pomarine skua and Long-Tailed Skua, can be seen in Iceland but they don't breed in Iceland.