- Larus audouinii
Ichthyaetus audouinii
Identification
44-52cm
- Mainly white head and body
- Grey wings
- Black tail
- Short stubby dark red bill with black and yellow tip
- Wings: Black wedge on outer primaries with white tip
- Grey-green legs
- Dark eye
Juveniles have a brown head that fades to white over four years
Similar Species
Distribution
The Mediterranean area, wintering to Senegal.
Rare, but populations appear to be increasing.[6]
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species which is sometimes placed in genus Ichthyaetus.[1]
Habitat
Breeds in sandy areas with low brush. Rocky sea coasts, saline marshes and reedbeds, saltpans and lakes. Pelagic.
Behaviour
An elegant gull
Breeding
Two to three eggs are laid on a ground nest and are incubated for 21 days.
Diet
The diet consists mostly of fish snatched from the surface, or by diving; they rarely scavenge.
References
- Clements, JF. 2008. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2008. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.
- Avibase
- ArKive
- Collins Field Guide 5th Edition
- Collins Bird Guide ISBN 0 00 219728 6
- BF Member observations
External Links
