Learn what every symbol on the card means.Full credits and sources at beakbrain.com/symbols
CoastalGround nestMedium · 380 g
ID tip
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.
When to see the Lava Gull
One bar for each month, and every month is filled: this bird is recorded here in all twelve. The wide bar is June, the month with the most records.
Where to see the Lava Gull
The map shades 1 country with regular records. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.
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.
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.
Side by side: Franklin's Gull vs Lava Gull · Grey Gull vs Lava Gull
Learn the Lava Gull in the BeakBrain App
Photo and call practice. Coming soon to iPhone and Android.
Play today's Daily BirdEvery photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.