Pacific Gull
Yorke Peninsula, South Australia, March 2021.
This is a fine looking Gull and Australias largest. They are found in Southern Coastal waters, off shore Islands, swamps and rubbish tops.
Yorke Peninsula, South Australia, March 2021.
Sexes are similar in appearance with the most striking feature of their appearance is the large red tipped bill.
Yorke Peninsula, South Australia, March 2021.
Immature birds are overall brown in colour. They take 4 years to reach full adult plumage. Sub adults are mottled light brown.
Yorke Peninsula, South Australia, March 2021.
This bird flew straight out to me hoping to get some fishing scraps. They feed on fish, squid, crabs, small birds and eggs. They drop hard shelled prey from heights to crack them open. Like most gulls these birds are great gliders.
Yorke Peninsula, South Australia, March 2021.
Discovering there were no food scraps on offer with a low fly pass the bird kept on flying. Breeding is from September to October and is usually done on offshore islands. The nest are made on elevated ground.