Silver Gull (species: Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae) in Birds of Tasmania (Gaia Guide)
Birds of Tasmania > Aves > Charadriiformes > Laridae > Chroicocephalus > Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae (gallery)
Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae
Silver Gull


©Leo: Silver Gull (Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae)

©Charlie: Silver Gull (Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae)

©Leo: A Silver Gull on Pambula Beach.

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Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Aves
Order Charadriiformes
Family Laridae
Genus Chroicocephalus
Species Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae

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Colours

                   

Distinguishing features

The head, body and tail are white. The wings are light grey with white spotted, black tips. Juveniles have brown patterns on their wings, and a dark beak. Adults have bright red beaks—the brighter the red, the older the bird. (Wikipedia)

Size

  • From 40 cm to 45 cm (Length of specimen)

Wingspan

  • From 85 cm to 100 cm

Synonyms

Interesting facts

  • One gull that was named ‘Steven’ would wait for a signal (one of the crew holding his hand up) and then would fly up to the boat and catch prawns that were thrown into the air for him.

Distribution


©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution

Distribution and habitat preferences

Silver gulls are found, mainly in coastal areas, in all states of Australia. It is a common species, having adapted well to urban environments and thriving around shopping centres and garbage dumps. (Wikipedia)

Local abundance

  • Cape Kidnappers, New Zealand: abundant

Audio recordings


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A group of birds feeding on the ground in a suburban park.

© Nick Talbot
(source)

Diet

It naturally feeds on worms, fish, insects and crustaceans. It is a successful scavenger, allowing increased numbers near human settlements. (Wikipedia)

Web resources

References

  • Smith, G.C. (1987). The birds of Eagle Island, a tropical sand cay on the northern Great Barrier Reef, Australia, The Sunbird, 17(1): 1-11. LIRS catalog number 245.