Grey Gull Leucophaeus / Larus modestus

Grey Gull Larus modestus
(aka Leucophaeus modestus)
Chilean name: Gaviota garuma

Chile

The Grey Gull breeds only in Chile's Atacama Desert where the parent birds take turns in attending the nest or feeding on the coast. Non-breeding birds are found on the coast from Ecuador to south central Chile.

The birds in photos 1, 2 and 3 are all either 1st or 2nd year birds. Adults are a cleaner grey above with a white head when breeding as can be seen in photos 4, 5 and 6. Note the long, thin, black bill and the black legs. It is medium sized at 48 cms compared to the Kelp Gull (1st year) seen in photo 3 at 58 cms.

Grey Gull with 1st year Kelp Gull, Concon, Chile, November 2005 - click for larger image

When feeding at the coast it feeds on crabs and fish which it forages for just below the water-line looking a bit like a sandpiper at times as in photo 2.

Grey Gull (adult breeding plumage), Lluta River mouth, Chile, February 2007 - click for larger image

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