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Photo by A. Meir
Photo taken: Eilat, Israel

Larus genei

[edit] Identification

This species is slightly larger than the Black-headed Gull, which it resembles; it does not have a black hood however. The head and dark red bill have an elongated tapering appearance, and this bird also appears long-necked. The legs are dark red, and the iris is yellow. In summer, the breast has a pink coloration. This bird takes two years to reach maturity, as usual in gulls. First year birds have a black terminal tail band, and dark areas in the wings

[edit] Distribution

Photo by AJDH
Photo taken: Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia

The Slender-billed Gull, Larus genei, is a mid-sized gull which breeds very locally around the Mediterranean and the northern western Indian Ocean (e.g. Pakistan) on islands and coastal lagoons. Most of the population is somewhat migratory, wintering further south to north Africa and India, and a few birds have wandered to western Europe. A stray individual was reportedly seen on Antigua, April 24, 1976 (AOU 2000).

[edit] Taxonomy

This is a monotypic species. Some authorities consider this species to belong in genus Chroicocephalus

[edit] Habitat

[edit] Behaviour

This rather uncommon gull breeds in colonies, nesting on the ground and laying up to three eggs. Like most gulls, it is gregarious in winter, both when feeding or in evening roosts. It is not a pelagic species, and is rarely seen at sea far from coasts. It is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies.

The scientific name of this bird commemorates the Italian naturalist Giuseppe Gené.

[edit] External Links