Appearance:

Large and heavy skua with broad wings and short tail. The white patches at base of primaries are more striking than in the other skuas, and are visible both on upper and underside of wings. Size comparable to Herring Gull, but build more compact. Seemingly black at a distance, but white wing-patches usually visible. Confusion with juvenile Pomarine Skua possible, but body is heavier (not just the chest), wings rounder, bill longer, neck thicker and tail shorter.

Sound:

Heard mostly at breeding ground. Short, and dry "kek", when agitated. Also a nasal, slightly mewing "kew".

Alarm call:

Distribution:

Wikipedia: map (se also Xeno-canto below)

Ecology:

Birdlife ecology

Links:

Observation.org Latest observations

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

Featherbase

CC

CC-sound:Rob van Bemmelen, Licence,Link.

Appearance:

Notably smaller, darker and with shorter bill than Common Snipe. Two prominent yellowish back-stripes. Dark wedge-shaped tail, and slightly rounded wings. Lacks median crown-stripe. Flanks spotted, not barred. Diagnostic behaviour: Usually flushed only at close range. Takes off silently, then quickly lands nearby. Whole body bounces rhythmically when feeding.

Sound:

May occasionally give a harsh, nasal and rolling "reearrr" when flushed, but is usually silent. Display call a peculiar, cyclic and rhythmic sound performed in flight. Recalling a galloping horse in the distance. "Galloping" interspersed with cyclic, whistling, hissing sounds. Hard to locate when displaying. Seems both close and distant at the same time.

Song:

Distribution:

Xeno-canto: map

Ecology:

Birdlife ecology

Links:

Observation.org Latest observations

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

Featherbase

CC

CC-photo:nhtbzk, Licence,Link,

CC-photo:Radovan Václav, Licence,Link,

CC-sound:Stein Ø. Nilsen, Licence,Link.