Falkland Islands 'Sea Hen', a widespread and common summer breeder, varying shades of buff/ brown, sometimes streaked with a flash of white on the wing primaries visible when flying. Length: 53 - 58 cm (20 - 23 inches).

Feeds by piratical attacks on other seabirds especially cormorants but also tends to nest by penguin rookeries where it takes young penguins and eggs. Skuas also scavenge on sheep carcasses. They are very aggressive and swoop on intruders when they are nesting.

Sources include: Falkland Islands State of the Environment Report 2008 Otley H, Munro G, Clausen A, Ingham B. A Field Guide to the Wildlife of The Falkland Islands and South Georgia - Ian J Strange, Guide to Birds of the Falkland Islands- Robin W. Woods.

Photographic credits: Biffo Tuson, stubblefield photography/Shutterstock.com

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