Photo of Animalia: Gray Gull (species: Leucophaeus modestus)

Breeding plumage?

© lalo_pangue

Vista en Punta de Choros.

For years it was a mystery as to where this species bred. They were seen copulating on the coast, vocalizing and displaying, but no nests were found. Given the many thousands present on shore it was a paradox that no colonies had been discovered. It was not until the early 1970s that it was confirmed that this gull breeds deep in the absolute desert of northern Chile.

Photo taken on 11 Feb 2017