- Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae
Larus novaehollandiae
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.
Distribution
Australia and surrounding islands.
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.
Habitat
Near water. Rarely seen inland.
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.