Dolphin gull

Dolphin gull
In Beagle Channel, Argentina
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Laridae
Genus: Leucophaeus
Species:
L. scoresbii
Binomial name
Leucophaeus scoresbii
(Traill, 1823)
Synonyms

Larus scoresbii, Gabianus scoresbii

The dolphin gull (Leucophaeus scoresbii), sometimes erroneously called the red-billed gull (a somewhat similar but unrelated species from New Zealand), is a gull native to southern Chile and Argentina, and the Falkland Islands. It is a coastal bird inhabiting rocky, muddy and sandy shores and is often found around seabird colonies. They have greyish feathers, and the feathers on their wings are a darker shade. Dolphin gulls have a varied diet, eating many things ranging from mussels to carrion.

The modern scientific name Leucophaeus scoresbii, together with the obsolete common name Scoresby's gull, commemorates the English explorer William Scoresby (1789–1857).[2]

  1. ^ BirdLife International (2018). "Larus scoresbii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T22694271A132537573. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22694271A132537573.en. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  2. ^ Hince, Bernadette (2000). The Antarctic Dictionary: A Complete Guide to Antarctic English. Csiro Publishing. p. 299. ISBN 978-0-643-10232-3. Retrieved 23 November 2011.