Audouin's gull (Larus audouinii)

General data

Order:Charadriiformes
Family: Laridae
Genus: Larus
Scientific name: Larus audouinii
Common name: Audouin's gull

Description

  • Geographic distribution:
    Mediterranean coasts (Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, Algeria and Tunisia), breeds on islands and islets, but only one colony on the mainland at Punta de la Banya (Ebro delta), winters W cost of Morocco to Senegal. Breeds in the Balearics (Menorca, Mallorca, Cabrera, Eivissa and Formentera), where the main colonies are in Cabrera and Sa Dragonera (Mallorca), l’illa de l’Aire and l’illa dels Porros (Menorca) and the islets Sa Conillera, s’Espardell, Tagomago, Santa Eulàlia, illes Penjats and illes Negres (Eivissa); also in Ebro delta (Tarragona), Columbrets Is. (Castelló), Alborán (Almeria), isla Grosa, (in the Mar Menor, Múrcia) and Chafarinas Is. (Melilla).
  • Migration:
    Partially migratory, and dispersive. Disperses around coasts of Mediterranean; virtually all young and some adults pass Gibraltar to winter on coast of NW Africa, occurring S to Senegal.
  • Habitat:
    Coasts, bays and beaches. Breeds mainly on offshore low, rocky islands among large stones and small bushes, on sandy beaches (Ebro delta), or in low xerophytic scrub.
  • Description:
    Length 48-52 cm Wingspan 125-138 cm. White-headed, white bodied marine gull, with grey mantle and upperwings; characteristic profile with elongated sloping forehead and a deep hooked bill; bill red with black subterminal ring and narrow yellow tip; legs dark greyish olive to blackish; iris dark, with crimson orbital ring. Juvenile has uniform grey-brown face, with mottled back; black tail with broad white rump; bill dull yellow-green, with black tip.
  • Interesting data:
    In 1998 the Spanish breeding population was at least 15.700 pairs (11.691 at Ebro delta, 2.980 in Chafarinas Is., 187 in Columbrets Is., 900 in the Balearics outstanding Cabrera with 358 pairs and 50 in Alborán Is.

Status

  • Ses Salines Nature Park:
    [He] Winter visitor > Scarce
    [Em] Summer visitor > Moderate
  • Natura 2000 network :
    [Em] Summer visitor > Moderate
    [He] Winter visitor > Scarce
  • Formentera rural:
    [Sa] Resident > Abundant

Category

  • Category UICN:
    [NT] Near threatened
  • Red book:
    [R] Rare

 
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Larus audouinii

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