Pomarine Skuas Stercorarius pomarinus wintering off Brazil

In the Atlantic, Pomarine Skuas Stercorarius pomarinus have been rarely recorded in southern South America. At-sea observations made from bottom long-line fishing boats operating on the shelf off the Brazilian coast between 23°30’S and 29°S showed Pomarine Skuas to be present in March, May, October and November, but absent in July, and to be the commonest skua in the area. Most records were made in March, when up to 14 individuals were recorded at a time. Most birds seemed to be immatures. Pomarine Skuas are clearly more regular off Brazil than suggested by the current literature.