Hartlaub’s Gull
Chroicocephalus hartlaubii
Coastal. Grey upperwings and back only; body white; bill and legs red.
Gulls, Kittiwakes
LC
Endemic
Description
Common to abundant endemic resident. Slightly smaller than [Grey-headed Gull]. In breeding plumage, differs in having faint traces of a grey hood, dark eyes (as in juveniles (Grey-headed Gull)) and deeper red bill and legs. At other times head is entirely white. Juvenile also has all-white head; bill and legs dark brown; sometimes only a few black spots show on tail-tip when close to attaining full adult plumage. The most common small gull of the west coast.
Quick Facts
Size
38 cm - M
Names
A: Hartlaubmeeu
Ss: Mmamawatle wa Bophirimela
G: Hartlaubsmöwe, Weißkopflachmöwe
Bird Family
A well-known group of scavenging shore and sea birds, most with white underparts and grey or black upperparts. Their tails are rounded or shallowly forked, their bills and feet yellowish or reddish. Gulls do not dive into the water, but pluck offal or refuse from the surface or from land. Flocks utter loud screaming sounds when feeding.
Distribution
Gallery
Behaviour
Breeding
Habitat
