Pacific Gull
Jan 14, 2024 18:33:19 #
Another one of our Down Under birds
The Pacific gull (Larus pacificus) is a very large gull, native to the coasts of Australia. It is moderately common between Carnarvon in the west, and Sydney in the east, although it has become scarce in some parts of the south-east, as a result of competition from the kelp gull, which has "self-introduced" since the 1940s.
Much larger than the ubiquitous silver gull, and nowhere near as common, Pacific gulls are usually seen alone or in pairs, loafing around the shoreline, steadily patrolling high above the edge of the water, or (sometimes) zooming high on the breeze to drop a shellfish or sea urchin onto rocks.
They can live for up to 30 years of age.
This species can range in length from 58 to 66 cm (23 to 26 in) and span 137 to 157 cm (54 to 62 in) across the wings. They typically weigh from 900 to 1,180 g (1.98 to 2.60 lb).
The females are indistinguishable from the males, plumage wise, except they are smaller in size.
The Pacific gull (Larus pacificus) is a very large gull, native to the coasts of Australia. It is moderately common between Carnarvon in the west, and Sydney in the east, although it has become scarce in some parts of the south-east, as a result of competition from the kelp gull, which has "self-introduced" since the 1940s.
Much larger than the ubiquitous silver gull, and nowhere near as common, Pacific gulls are usually seen alone or in pairs, loafing around the shoreline, steadily patrolling high above the edge of the water, or (sometimes) zooming high on the breeze to drop a shellfish or sea urchin onto rocks.
They can live for up to 30 years of age.
This species can range in length from 58 to 66 cm (23 to 26 in) and span 137 to 157 cm (54 to 62 in) across the wings. They typically weigh from 900 to 1,180 g (1.98 to 2.60 lb).
The females are indistinguishable from the males, plumage wise, except they are smaller in size.
Jan 14, 2024 20:06:28 #
is there any chance ,they could wind up on east coast?i have pics if you can i,d. them
Jan 14, 2024 20:20:16 #
Jan 14, 2024 20:21:00 #
lukevaliant wrote:
is there any chance ,they could wind up on east coast?i have pics if you can i,d. them
I don't now that they would migrate that far north Luke...There is another similar bird, the Kelp Gull but that is also found only in the southern hemisphere.
Send me a PM with your pics and I can at least have a look...
Cheers,
Ron.
Jan 14, 2024 20:21:34 #
UTMike wrote:
More of this excellent series, Ron!
Thank you Mike...
Jan 14, 2024 21:25:06 #
Jan 14, 2024 21:26:30 #
Jan 14, 2024 22:17:48 #
Jan 14, 2024 22:20:25 #
NMGal wrote:
Interesting bird. Beak has an odd shape.
Yes, very different...
Jan 15, 2024 00:05:28 #
Jan 15, 2024 00:08:15 #
jdtonkinson wrote:
Another great set Ron
Very interesting look
Very interesting look
Thank you Jim...
Jan 15, 2024 08:13:02 #
Jan 15, 2024 11:28:41 #
Jan 15, 2024 14:27:33 #
Jan 15, 2024 15:09:24 #
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