From Opus

Photo by Neil Fifer
Photo taken: Sydney, Australia.

Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae

Larus novaehollandiae

[edit] Identification

40-45cm. White head, tail and underparts, with a light grey back and black-tipped wings, bill, legs and eye-ring are bright orange-red.

[edit] Distribution

Australia and surrounding islands.

[edit] Taxonomy

Two subspecies are recognized: novaehollandiae and forsteri. Some authorities in addition also recognize gunni. Red-billed Gull was recently split from this species.

Silver Gull is sometimes placed in genus Larus.

[edit] Habitat

Near water. Rarely seen inland.

[edit] Behaviour

It is a scavenger; its diet also includes worms, fish, insects and crustaceans.

They nest in large colonies on offshore islands. Two broods are often raised in a year. Both sexes share nest-building, incubation and feeding duties. 3 eggs are laid in a shallow nest scrape, lined with vegetation.

[edit] External Links

• View more images of this species on the ABID