Adults have black backs and wings with very little white in the flight feathers.
Not listed
At a glance
FamilyGulls, Terns, and Skimmers
SizeLarge
RarityCommon
HabitatUsually coastal.
Best timeReported across most months in Tasmania, with no narrow seasonal peak.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by JJSUN
Range map
Range map
200approx hotspots
53077approx records
6states
Low confidenceMediumHigh confidence
Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.
Species notes
Overview
Large dark-backed gull. Usually coastal. The bill is very strong and robust and the legs are greenish-yellow. Juveniles have a dark brown back mottled with white, a black bill, and a dark band on the tail.
Behavior
Forages and scavenges along coasts, taking marine prey and carrion and giving loud, strident calls around feeding groups.
Gallery
Regional timing
Victoria
Tasmania
South Australia
Western Australia
Queensland
New South Wales
Australian Capital Territory