You are here

Home ›

Pacific Gull

Did you know?

The Pacific Gull has a curious habit of dropping turban shells and other molluscs, especially limpets and mussels, from a height onto a rock in order to break them open. On some islands and headlands, this has resulted in the formation of 'middens' of shell fragments that could be mistaken for ancient natural beach deposits.

Calls
A shouted 'ow-ow', muffled 'awk-awk'.
Facts and Figures
Research Species: 
No
Minimum Size: 
50cm
Maximum Size: 
67cm
Average size: 
63cm
Average weight: 
1 000g
Breeding season: 
September to December
Clutch Size: 
One to three, usually two.
Incubation: 
28 days
Conservation Status
Federal: 
Secure
NSW: 
Secure
NT: 
Not present
QLD: 
Not present
SA: 
Secure
TAS: 
Secure
VIC: 
Near threatened
WA: 
Secure
Basic Information
Scientific Name: 
Larus pacificus
Featured bird groups: 
Seabirds
Atlas Number: 
126
What does it look like?
Description: 

The Pacific Gull is a very large black-backed gull with a massive yellow bill, broadly tipped with scarlet. The upper wings and wingtips are wholly black with a narrow white inner trailing edge, the tail is white with a broad black band near the end. The legs are yellow to orange-yellow. Juvenile Pacific Gulls are mottled dark brown with pale face and the bill is pink with a black tip. The immatures have dark brown wings, whitish mottled body and a black-tipped yellow bill. There are two forms of the Pacific Gull: the eastern form (race pacificus) has a white eye and a complete red tip to the bill while the western form (race gergii) has a red eye and an incomplete red tip to the bill.

Similar species: 

The Pacific Gull can be confused with the Kelp Gull, Larus dominicanus, which has a much smaller bill, as well as being much smaller and less bulky.

Where does it live?
Distribution: 

The Pacific Gull is endemic to southern Australia and occurs mostly on south and west coasts, Tasmania and infrequently on the east coast.

Habitat: 

The Pacific Gull prefers sandy, or less often, rocky coasts and sandy beaches. In eastern Australia, the Pacific Gull prefers areas that are protected from ocean swells such as estuaries, bays and harbours. In Western Australia, it occurs occasionally in harbours but mostly on exposed coasts and offshore islands. It usually avoids human habitation but is occasionally seen on farmland and rubbish tips near the coast but rarely inland. It can be found roosting or loafing in elevated situations such as rocky headlands or on structures such as wharves and jetties.

Seasonal movements: 

The adult Pacific Gull is mainly sedentary while the young are dispersive.

What does it do?
Feeding: 

The Pacific Gull forages along the coasts between the high-water mark and shallow water on sandy beaches, feeding mainly on molluscs, fish, birds and other marine animals.

Breeding: 

The Pacific Gull breeds in scattered single pairs or small, loose colonies on high points on headlands or islands. Two types of nests are built: one a scrape or depression in the ground, either unlined or lined with small stones or gravel, the other is a neatly constructed shallow bowl made of sticks, grass, seaweed or feathers. Both sexes build the nest with the female doing most of the incubation while the male forages for food and stands guard near the nest.

Living with us

The Pacific Gull is easily disturbed by human activities at breeding sites and roosting areas, and have occasionally become entangled in fishing lines. However, they do scavenge on human refuse at rubbish tips, abattoirs, picnic areas and on fish scraps near wharves.

References: 
Field guide to Australian Birds.
Field Guide to the Birds of Australia.
Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds, Volume 3 (Snipe to Pigeons).
Reader's Digest Complete Book of Australian Birds
The Shorebirds of Australia.
  • Share/Save
 and   @birdsinbackyards
                 Subscribe to me on YouTube