FAMILY NAME: Laridae SCIENTIFIC NAME: Chroicocephalus (in some references,"Larus") novaehollandiae SUBSPECIES: none
SIZE: 41cm. (16") tip to tail.
LOCATION: Found over almost the entire continent of Australia, wherever there is water, but generally coastal.
BREEDING: Breeding season is usually from August to December but may vary depending on conditions, laying from 1 to 3 eggs. Both the male and female incubate and feed their young. Nesting is done on the ground in nests made of whatever material is available.
GENERAL: In Australia, commonly called "the seagull". These birds are very common and are widespread across Australia. They feed on worms, fish, crustaceans, insects and have readilly adapted to scavenging through human rubbish. Adult: The head, tail and underside are white with light grey back and wings, which are black tipped. The legs, feet, bill and eye ring are red and the eye has a white iris. Immature: A black eye, a dark yellow bill with black tip, yellow/black legs. The most obvious feature is the wing coverts, which are brown with white edging.
References:
Michael Morecombe. Field Guide to Australian Birds, Complete Compact Edtion.
Ken Simpson - Nicholas Day. The Birds of Australia.
M. Blakers - S. J. J. F. Davies - P. N. Reilly. The Atlas of Australian Birds.
Birds in Backyards. www.birdsinbackyards.net
Graham Pizzey - Frank Knight. The Field Guide to the Birds of Australia
