Distribution Map
Kelp Gull
Larus dominicanus
NativeStatus
UncommonRarity
Bird Gallery
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Species Description
The Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus), also known as the Dominican Gull, is a prominent large gull found along much of Australia’s southern coastline and throughout the Southern Hemisphere. With its bold black-and-white colouring, it stands out among Australian gulls and is generally easy to recognise.
Fun Facts
The Kelp Gull is native to the Southern Hemisphere and has expanded its range in Australia over the past several decades, especially in Victoria and Tasmania.
1. Black back and wings with a strong contrast to white head and underparts
2. Thick yellow bill with a red spot near the tip
3. Greenish-yellow legs, brighter during breeding season
Kelp Gulls are highly adaptable omnivores, feeding on fish, mollusks, crustaceans, eggs, chicks of other birds, carrion, and refuse. They are intelligent foragers, known for dropping shellfish onto rocks to break them open and for stealing food from other birds. Breeding typically occurs from September to January in Australia, with nests built on the ground and both parents sharing incubation and chick-rearing duties. Chicks are semi-precocial, able to walk soon after hatching but still reliant on parents for food.
Kelp Gulls are most common along southern Australian coasts, especially in Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia. They inhabit beaches, rocky shores, estuaries, harbors, and sometimes large inland lakes. These gulls are often seen near fishing ports, rubbish dumps, and slaughterhouses, taking advantage of food sources provided by human activity. Breeding occurs on offshore islands, headlands, and coastal cliffs, with some colonies forming in large groups.
Physical Attributes
Height
57 cm
Size Relative to Other Birds92%
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