Foods of the South Polar Skua Catharacta maccormickii at Ardery Island, Windmill Islands, Antarctica

Abstract

South Polar skuas (Catharacta maccormicki) breed on Ardery Island in the absence of a local breeding population of Adelie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae). Assessment was made of the food remains in skua feeding territories in 1995/1996. The diet of South Polar skuas largely consisted of fulmarine petrel species which bred on Ardery Island. Southern fulmar (Fulmarus glacialoides) remains were the predominant prey items found, and skuas appeared to feed preferentially on this species.