Kelp Gull
Larus dominicanus
Coastal. Large gull. Yellow bill; black upperwings; white body.
Gulls, Kittiwakes
LC
Not Endemic
Description
Very common resident. Adult has dark eyes and whitish-yellow feet; cf. [Lesser Black-backed Gull]. immature (a) initially mottled dark brown with paler barred rump and dark brown legs; could be mistaken for a skua, but lacks white patches at bases of primaries). With age becomes paler (b). Occurs singly or in small groups that scavenge along coasts, especially harbours; rarely inland. Local race ‘L.d. vetula’ sometimes considered a separate species (Cape Gull); vagrant nominate race ‘L.d. dominicanus’ has subtly different head shape and paler eyes, but very similar overall.
Quick Facts
Size
63 cm - L
Names
A: Swartrugmeeu
Z: unochweba
Ss: Mmamawatle Wa Mokokotlontsho
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
Occurs singly or in small groups that scavenge along coasts, especially harbours; rarely inland.
