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great skua

noun

Definition of great skua

: a large seabird (Stercorarius skua synonym Catharacta skua) that is related to the jaegers, has dusky plumage and broad rounded wings, breeds chiefly along arctic and antarctic shores, and forages over most cold and temperate seas

Examples of great skua in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 And then, below the horizon, like an ungainly ghost, the birders spotted a rare European bully of the high seas: a great skua. — Eric Boodman, STAT, "A career in biotech brought success. Then the birds came calling," 24 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'great skua.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of great skua

1897, in the meaning defined above

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The first known use of great skua was in 1897

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