Djibouti (B) (NB), Egypt (B) (NB), Eritrea (B) (NB), Israel (NB), Jordan (B) (NB), Kenya (E) (NB), Saudi Arabia (B) (NB), Somalia (B) (NB), Sudan (B), Yemen (B) (NB) (P).
Vagrant to Greece, Iran [Islamic Republic of], Maldives (NB), Oman (NB), Turkey (NB), United Arab Emirates (NB).
Red Sea from Gulf of Suez and Gulf of Aqaba (Tiran) southern into Gulf of Aden.
 
Rarity Status
Currently this species is not classified as a rarity in this country OR information has not been updated.
Population
Estimated population is 37,000 - 44,000 (2010) and stable.
Status LC
Predation by introduced mammals, oil spills, disturbance by fisherman and tourists are the main threats.
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.
Habits
In the non-breeding season it is usually found in small groups, but sometimes forms flocks of hundreds or even thousands to forage.
Food
Mainly fish, but also crustaceans, molluscs, annelids and offal.
Subspecies
Morphometrically closest to Sooty Gull (Larus hemprichii).
No subspecies.
Similar Species
From Sooty Gull (Larus hemprichii) by its slightly smaller size, and, in adult plumage, all-black hood and bib, dark grey upperparts, all-dark bill (dark red with black tip, unlike two-tone bill of Sooty Gull (Larus hemprichii)) and conspicuous white eye-ring.
References
See References.