skua

skua

noun \ˈskyü-ə\

Definition of SKUA

: any of various seabirds (genus Catharacta) related to the jaegers: as a : great skua b : a bird (C. maccormicki) that resembles but is slightly smaller than the great skua and that breeds in the Antarctic

Origin of SKUA

New Latin, from Faeroese skúgvur; akin to Old Norse skūfr tassel, skua, Old English scēaf sheaf — more at sheaf

First Known Use: 1678

Other Birds Terms

aerie, bunting, clutch, covey, hackle, ratite, rictus, ruff, skein, zygodactyl