Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
Catharacta skua

Catharacta skua

9.9
A large brown seabird of the northern Atlantic that chases other birds to take food
  • noun
  • Archaic
translation icon : skúa
  • The Catharacta skua is known to aggressively defend its territory from intruders.

Examples

  • The Catharacta skua is often seen near fishing boats.

  • Researchers study the migration patterns of the Catharacta skua in the northern Atlantic.

  • Birdwatchers spotted a Catharacta skua circling above the rocky cliffs.

  • Many Catharacta skuas migrate to warmer waters during winter.

  • Birdwatchers spotted a Catharacta skua soaring gracefully over the rocky cliffs of the northern Atlantic.

  • The Catharacta skua is notorious for its aggressive behavior towards other seabirds when defending its nest.

  • During their research, biologists observed a Catharacta skua scavenging near a fishing boat for leftover fish.

Synonyms

skua
vsCatharacta skua
1 9.9

A large aggressive seabird like a gull that steals food from other birds

is a specific brown Atlantic species rather than the whole northern group
great skua
vsCatharacta skua
  • UK
8.7

A large brown seabird that attacks other birds to steal food

is known for predation in general rather than focusing on eggs and chicks

Surface Forms

Catharacta skua singular
Catharacta skuas plural

Morphology

Catharacta + skua

The phrase is a straightforward taxonomic label combining a genus name ('Catharacta') with the common noun ('skua'), so a learner who knows both constituents can infer it denotes a kind of skua (a seabird). Although 'Catharacta' is specialized, the composition is literal and compositional, making the overall meaning directly derivable from the parts.

Etymology

Catharacta skua may come from older words: Catharacta meaning 'waterfall' or a fast rush, and skua a local word for a 'bold sea bird'. People imagined the bird diving and grabbing food, so the name fits this large brown seabird known for being aggressive and stealing food.