From Opus

Photo by Dave Hawkins
Photographed in Manitoba, Canada

Rhodostethia rosea

[edit] Identification

30cm. Summer adults are pale grey above and white below, pink flush to the breast, and black neck ring, pointed tail and red legs, short, black bill.
In winter, the breast tints and neck collar are mostly lost (but remnants remain).
Juvenile has a noticeable "W" pattern across the wings in flight

[edit] Similar Species

Little Gull is slightly smaller with hood, pale wingtips (adult), longer bill, and shorter primary projection.

[edit] Distribution

Photo by Dwaalgast
Scheveningen, The Netherlands November 2004

Northern Canada and north-eastern Siberia. Vagrant to Britain, north, central and south Europe

[edit] Taxonomy

This is a monotypic species, which is sometimes placed in genus Hydrocoloeus.

[edit] Habitat

Breeds in swampy arctic tundra.
Sea coasts and coastal lagoons, often perches on ice floes and glacier edges.

[edit] Behaviour

[edit] Flight

Very bouyant. In a high wind will 'shear' like a Kittiwake and will hover and dip reminiscent of a marsh tern.

[edit] Breeding

Two to three eggs are laid in a nest on the ground.

[edit] Diet

Its diet includes any small prey and it feeds on mudflats.

[edit] Vocalisation

A typical call is "e-wo,e-wo,e-wo", or "kliaw"'.

[edit] References

1. Collins Field Guide 5th Edition

[edit] External Links

• View more images of this species on Orientalbirdimages