Belcher's Gull
Larus belcheri
The Belcher's Gull (Larus belcheri) is a uncommon skimmers, noddies, terns, and gull found in 5 countries, weighing about 639 g. Belcher's gull, also known as the band-tailed gull, is a bird in the family Laridae found along the Pacific coast of South America.
About the Belcher's Gull
Belcher's gull, also known as the band-tailed gull, is a bird in the family Laridae found along the Pacific coast of South America. It formerly included the very similar Olrog's gull as a subspecies, but that bird occurs on the Atlantic coast of South America and is now accepted as a separate species Larus atlanticus. Belcher's gull is a medium-sized gull with a blackish mantle, white head and underparts, a black band on the otherwise white tail, and a yellow bill with a red and black tip. Non-breeding adults have a brownish-black head and a white eye-ring. The name commemorates the British explorer Sir Edward Belcher, who performed survey work on the Pacific coast of South America.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
Belcher's gull is 48–54 centimetres (19–21 in), with a wingspan of about 120 cm (47 in). The sexes are similar in appearance, and in the breeding season, the adult has a white head, very pale grey neck, and white underparts. The mantle and back are greyish-black, and the tail is white with a broad black subterminal band and a white trailing edge. The wing coverts and primaries are black and the secondaries dark grey with white tips. The eye is black, the bill yellow with a distinctive red and black tip, and the legs and feet yellow.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in United States, Colombia.
When to see it
The Belcher's Gull can be seen all year round, with peak activity in October. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Belcher's Gull?
- Belcher's gull is 48–54 centimetres (19–21 in), with a wingspan of about 120 cm (47 in). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Belcher's Gull?
- The Belcher's Gull is a large sized bird weighing about 639 g.
- Where can you see a Belcher's Gull?
- The Belcher's Gull occurs in 5 countries, including Peru, Chile and Ecuador.
- What birds look similar to a Belcher's Gull?
- The Belcher's Gull is most easily confused with the Armenian Gull, the Slaty-backed Gull and the Yellow-footed Gull.
- Is the Belcher's Gull endangered?
- The Belcher's Gull is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Belcher's Gull for real
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