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Recordings
Width
125.0 cm
Length
56.0 cm
Similar species
Information
Uncommon passage migrant, scarce winter visitor and rare summer visitor. An aggressive parasitic bird in the non-breeding season, often near flocks of gulls. Sometimes seen from the ferry to Failaka.
Where in Kuwait
Predominantly a pelagic species, but occasionally seen near the coast.It is largest of the Skuas (Jaegers) and is most distinctive in the summer, when it bears unusual spoon-shaped central tail feathers.
In the world
It has an extremely large range with a stable population and is marine outside the breeding season, remaining somewhat coastal, especially in upwelling regions of the tropics and subtropics. It breeds in the far northern reaches of Europe, Asia and America. Outside the breeding season it migrates south including long migrations over land. The name ‘pomarine’ originally comes from a Greek word meaning ‘lid-nosed’. This is due to the fact that the bird has a pale, saddle-like covering on the base of the upper bill which gives it a two-tone effect. During the breeding season it is highly dependent on the availability of its main food source, Lemmings.
Local threats
Oil pollution