Black-tailed Gull

The Black-tailed Gull is a medium-sized seabird with a distinctive appearance. It has a white head and body, contrasting with slate-grey wings and back. The wingtips are black with small white tips, and a broad black band across the tail gives this species its name.

Adults have yellow legs, a yellow bill with a red spot near the tip, and a black ring. In winter, the white head shows some dark mottling, especially at the back of the neck. Juveniles are predominantly dark brown with lighter edges to their feathers and take about three years to develop adult plumage.

Black-tailed Gulls have a range of vocalisations, including a loud, harsh 'kow-kow-kow' call often heard in breeding colonies.

They also produce a softer, mewing sound during courtship and when communicating with their chicks. In flight, they may emit a sharp, high-pitched 'kee-aw' call.

• Look for Black-tailed Gulls along rocky coastlines and in harbours
• Observe their distinctive black tail band in flight
• Listen for their loud, harsh calls, especially in breeding colonies
• Watch for their scavenging behaviour near fishing boats

Black-tailed Gulls have a varied diet, primarily consisting of fish, squid, and crustaceans. They are opportunistic feeders, also consuming insects, small mammals, and eggs of other seabirds.

These gulls are known to forage in intertidal zones during low tide and often scavenge human food waste in urban areas.

Black-tailed Gulls typically breed in large, noisy colonies from April to July. Pairs engage in elaborate courtship displays, including head-tossing and mew-calling, to strengthen their bond. They nest on flat, rocky areas or cliff ledges near the sea.

The nest is a shallow scrape lined with vegetation, feathers, and debris. Females usually lay 2-3 eggs, which are olive-brown with dark spots. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs for about 24 to 26 days.

Chicks are semi-precocial, able to walk soon after hatching but remain in the nest area. They fledge after 35-40 days but continue to be fed by their parents for several more weeks.

Black-tailed Gulls are highly social birds, often seen in large flocks along coastlines. They are skilled flyers, capable of soaring on air currents and diving into water to catch fish.

These gulls are known for their opportunistic feeding behaviour, often following fishing boats to scavenge discarded fish.

While the Black-tailed Gull is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, it faces threats from habitat loss due to coastal development and pollution. Climate change and rising sea levels may also impact their breeding sites in the future.

Conservation efforts focus on protecting coastal habitats and reducing marine pollution.