About the Lava Gull
The lava gull, also known as the dusky gull, is a medium-sized gull and a member of the "hooded gull" group. It is most closely related to the Laughing gull and Franklin's gull and is the rarest gull in the world. It is endemic to the Galapagos Islands.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
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The lava gull is a distinctive gull, 51 to 55 cm (20–22 in) and weighs 380 g (13 oz). The adult plumage consists of a sooty brown to black head, which unlike other dark hooded gulls doesn't vary by season. The wings are dark gray with a contrasting white line on the leading edge, thought to play a function in displays and camouflage. Its dark gray body contrasts with a paler gray belly. The uppertail is white and grey lower down. The bill and legs are black, and the inside of the mouth is scarlet. It has white upper and lower eyebrows, with red lids. Immature gulls are generally dark brown.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
When to see it
Peak activity in June · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Dolphin GullLeucophaeus scoresbiiThe dolphin gull, sometimes erroneously called the red-billed gull, is a gull native to southern Chile and Argentina, and the Falkland Islands.
Grey GullLeucophaeus modestusThe sexes are similar in grey gulls.
Franklin's GullLeucophaeus pipixcanIt breeds in central provinces of Canada and adjacent states of the northern United States.
Learn the Lava Gull for real
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