How to identify gulls
6 minute read
Here’s how to identify three Australian gull species - Silver, Pacific and Kelp Gull. You will also learn how to identify them when they are young (the hardest part).
Silver Gull
Australia’s most common gull is also known as the “seagull” but isn’t just found by the sea.
Immature: brown buff ‘checkering’ on its back and wings, darker bill with a dark tip (and making a racket and demanding to be fed)
Adult: mainly white with light grey back and wings, red bill and red legs
Pacific Gull
The largest of the gulls, this bird is mainly black and white.
Juvenile (0-1 years): mostly brown with scallop-looking feathers on its back and wings, dark bill
Immature (1+ years): mostly brown with scallop-looking feathers on its back, pale pink bill has a dark tip at the end
Adult: big yellowy-orange bill that has a red tip, bright yellow legs
Kelp Gull
The size of a Kelp Gull is between a Silver and Pacific Gull. Here’s how to tell it apart from the Pacific Gull, which looks similar.
Juvenile (0-1 years): bill shape and the checkered-looking feathers on its upper wings (compared the scalloped of the Pacific Gull) and how its primary feathers are exposed when its wings are folded (looks like some extra feathers at the back)
Immature (1+ years): pale beak with a dark tip, and mottled brown head and neck
Adult: red on its bill only on the lower mandible (lower bill), crescents of white feathers on its back and its legs are a duller yellow
Crested Tern (not a gull)
This bird is not a gull (it’s a tern) but sometimes it likes hanging out with gulls, especially on the beach. Find out more about terns in this How-to Guide.
Weekend Birder episodes
Learn more about gulls and other seabirds in these short podcast episodes:
