Bird
Kelp Gull
Larus dominicanusAlso known as Dominican Gull, Southern Black-Backed Gull, Karoro, Cape Gull
Kelp gulls are dominant coastal opportunists found across southern oceans, recognizable by their deep slate-black backs, pristine white underparts, and heavy yellow bills tipped with red. Highly resourceful scavengers and hunters, they frequently carry hard-shelled mollusks into the air to shatter them on rocky platforms below. Along coastlines and offshore breeding islands, their raucous yelping calls anchor busy colonies where mated pairs raise up to three chicks in dense scrape nests.
SeabirdOmnivoreColonial
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyBlue Mussel, Shore Crab, Small Fish
Predators
- Brown Skua
- Southern Giant Petrel
- Caracara
ThreatsMarine plastic ingestion, entanglement in fishing tackle, and localized culling
HabitatsCoasts, rocky shores, sandy beaches, estuaries, pastures, and offshore islands
Life span15–25 years
Classification
- OrderCharadriiformes
- FamilyLaridae
- GenusLarus
- SpeciesLarus dominicanus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- May dive-bomb and strike with heavy bills if nests or chicks are approached.
- Why it is dangerous
- Possesses a powerful, hooked bill capable of inflicting painful cuts and punctures during territorial defense.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for a large gull with black mantle wings, yellow bill with a red spot, and pale greenish-yellow legs.
- What to do
- Keep at least several meters away from grounded chicks or nesting colonies; wear head protection if entering colonies for research.
Responsible observation
- Breeding Season: Give nesting beaches a wide berth to avoid defensive dive-bombing runs.
- Refuse Management: Secure food and waste around beaches to prevent aggressive food-snatching.
Neighbor (c) DiverDave, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Predator (c) Erasmo Macaya Horta, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Erasmo Macaya Horta · cc-by
Neighbor (c) Tia Offner, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tia Offner · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Andrew Allen, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Andrew Allen · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Romi Galeota Lencina, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Romi Galeota Lencina · cc-by
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