China (mainland), Hong Kong (China), Japan, North Korea (B), Russia (Asian), South Korea, Taiwan (China), Vietnam.
Vagrant to Australia, Canada, Mexico, Thailand, USA.
South-eastern Russia (southern Kuril Is, Sakhalin, Popov I, Moneron I, Peter the Great Bay), Japan, Korea and eastern China (Shandong). More widespread in winter, occurring south to northern East China Sea.
Black-tailed Gull (Larus crassirostris) [XC840768]
by id from \u78a7\u6d77\u91d1\u6c99\uff0cFengxian, Shanghai, Shanghai, China (begging call, call)
Black-tailed Gull (Larus crassirostris) [XC90299]
by Jarmo Pirhonen from Hwapo-ri, Gimje-si, Jeollabuk-do, South Korea, South Korea (call)
Breeding Season (Guide)
Does not breed in Australia. Breeds on coasts of Sea of Japan, in Russia and possibly on Kurile Island (not Sakhalin Island).
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Subspecies
Relationships unclear. Some analyses place present species closest to Sooty Gull (Larus hemprichii), others to Heermann's Gull (Larus heermanni).
No subspecies.
Similar Species
Adults with Pacific Gull (Larus pacificus), which lakes a black tip to a more massive bill, and immatures with immature Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus).
Compare Images
The Field Guide to the Birds of Australia Pizzey, G., and Knight, E., 1997, Angus & Robertson, Sydney ISBN 0 207 19691 5
Field Guide to Australian Birds Morecombe, M., 2000, Steve Parish Publishing Pty Ltd. ISBN 1 876282 10 X
Field Guide to the Birds of Australia Simpson, K., and Day, N., 1999, 6th Edition, Viking ISBN 0 670 87918 5
Reader's Digest Complete Book of Australian Birds 1988, 2nd Edition, Reader's Digest ISBN 0 949819 99 9
What Bird is That? 1984, Revised Edition, Angus & Robertson, Sydney ISBN 0 207 14846 5
Handbook of Australian, New Zealand & Antarctic Birds 1990 - , Oxford University Press, Melbourne ISBN 0 19 553244 9
BirdLife International Species Factsheet