Skuas
Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Stercorariidae
They are in general medium to large birds, typically with grey or brown plumage, often with white markings on the wings. They have longish bills with a hooked tip, and webbed feet with sharp claws. They look like large dark gulls, but have a fleshy cere above the upper mandible. They are strong, acrobatic fliers. Five species have been recorded in North Carolina.
- Great Skua, Stercorarius skua
- South Polar Skua, Stercorarius maccormicki
- Pomarine Jaeger, Stercorarius pomarinus
- Parasitic Jaeger, Stercorarius parasiticus
- Long-tailed Jaeger, Stercorarius longicaudus
Read more about this topic: List Of Birds Of North Carolina