‘Pirate of the sea’ boards race yacht

Adil Khalid, the Emirati sailor on board Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing (Ador) made a new, rather unusual friend on the Atlantic Ocean: a Great Skua.

Watch the birdie: Adil Khalid and his Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing teammates welcome aboard a great skua. Courtesy Ador

ABU DHABI // Adil Khalid, the Emirati sailor on board Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing (Ador) made a new, rather unusual friend on the Atlantic Ocean today: a Great Skua.

While Khalid was having his morning breakfast and getting ready for yet another busy day, the large seabird, also known as the "Pirate of the Sea", flew near Ador'ss yacht Azzam - catching his attention. A piece of bread was enough to attract the visitor to Adil's hand.

"Good practice for falconing when I get back home," joked Khalid to his team mates. Click the video.