Slender-billed Gull
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| Slender-billed Gull | ||||||||||||||
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| Larus genei Breme, 1839 |
The Slender-billed Gull, Larus genei, is a small gull which breeds very locally around the Mediterranean and the northern western Indian Ocean (e.g. Pakistan) on islands and coastal lagoons. much of Europe and Asia, and also in coastal eastern Canada.
Most of the population is somewhat migratory, wintering further south to north Africa and India, and a few birds have wandered to western Europe are resident.
This scarce gull breeds in colonies, nesting on the ground and laying up to three eggs. Like most gulls, it is gregarious in winter, both when feeding or in evening roosts. It is not a pelagic species, and is rarely seen at sea far from coasts.
This species is slightly larger than Black-headed Gull, which it resembles. It does not have a black hood. The head and dark red bill have an elongated tapering appearance, and this bird also appears long-necked. The legs are dark red, and the iris is yellow. In summer, the breast has a pink coloration.
This bird takes two years to reach maturity. First year birds have a black terminal tail band, and dark areas in the wings.
The scientific name of this bird commemorates the Italian naturalist Giuseppe Gené.