Kelp gull
Kelp gull (Larus dominicanus) have a white head, neck, underbody, rump and tail. The saddle and upperwing is slate-black with a white leading edge. The wingspan is 106-142 cm. The yellow bill has a rounded red subterminal spot at the gonys.
Kelp gull are broadly distributed in the subantarctic to subtropical regions, where sea surface temperatures range from 0° to 23° C. They can mostly be seen off the New Zealand coasts and islands, and along the south and south-east Australian coasts.
Kelp gull prey on and scavenge molluscs, fish, crustaceans, other seabirds, and even their own chicks and eggs. They are opportunistic, and their diet varies with season and among localities depending on the availability of food.
In the subantarctic, Kelp gull lay three eggs in November to December. Incubation and fledging periods are 23-30 days and 45-61 days, respectively. Parents sometimes continue to feed their chicks after fledging.
Kelp gull nest on beaches, among rocks, grassy headlands, ledges, glacial moraines and offshore islets. The shapes and materials of the nests vary due to location. They construct bowls or conical mounds or shallow scrapes in sand with grass, seaweed, sticks, shells and debris.
Links
Taxonomic information on the Kelp gull
Australian Antarctic Science (AAS) projects relating to Kelp gull
Australian Antarctic Magazine - Heard Island's seabirds under scrutiny
Monitoring for long-term or cumulative impacts in Southern Ocean seabirds [Research project details]
See more information on the Australian Antarctic scientific research program
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