[1][2] The genus name Stercorarius is Latin and means "of dung";[note 1] the food disgorged by other birds when pursued by skuas was once thought to be excrement.

Those species that breed in the southern oceans largely feed on fish that can be caught near their colonies.

The eggs and chicks of other seabirds, primarily penguins, are an important food source for most skua species during the nesting season.

In these areas, the skuas will often forfeit their catches to the considerably larger and very aggressive giant petrels.

[7] Skuas are medium to large birds, typically with grey or brown plumage, often with white markings on the wings.

Potential predators approaching their nests will be quickly attacked by the parent birds, which usually target the heads of intruders – a practice known as 'divebombing'.

However, based on genetics, behavior, and feather lice, the overall relationship among the species is best expressed by placing all in a single genus.