Gray Gull (Leucophaeus modestus)

Order: Charadriiformes | Family: Laridae | IUCN Status: Least Concern

gray_gull
Age: Adult, alternate | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Lima, Peru

gray_gull
Age: Adult, basic | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Lima, Peru

gray_gull
Age: Adult, basic | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Lima, Peru

gray_gull
Age: Juvenile | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Lima, Peru

Identification & Behavior: ~45.5 cm (19 in). The Gray Gull in basic plumage is all gray with a dusky head. Birds in alternate plumage show a whitish head that grades into gray towards the rest of the body. It is the only uniformly gray large gull in Peru. The juvenile Belcher’s Gull is mottled gray and brown. Also, see the juvenile Inca Tern.

Status: The Gray Gull is a common Austral migrant to the coast of Peru. Although it can be found year round, it is more common during the months of November through February. It also occurs in Co, Ec, and Ch.

Name in Spanish: Gaviota Gris.

Sub-species: Gray Gull (Leucophaeus modestus), Tschudi 1843.

Meaning of Name: Chroicocephalus: Gr. khroizö= color and kephalos, kephale= his head. modestus: L. modest, unassuming.

See more of the Family Laridae   peru aves

Distribution Map
gray gullVoice

References:

    • Species range based on: Schulenberg, T. S., D. F. Stotz, and L. Rico. 2006. Distribution maps of the birds of Peru, version 1.0. Environment, Culture & Conservation (ECCo). The Field Museum.  http://fm2.fieldmuseum.org/uw_test/birdsofperu on 01/01/2015.