Pacific Gull (Larus pacificus) [XC326943]
by Greg McLachlan from Eaglehawk Neck, Tasman Council, Tasmania, Australia (call)
Pacific Gull (Larus pacificus) [XC288494]
by nick talbot from Sandy Point, Victoria, Australia (begging call)
Nest
A depression in the ground, lined with grass or other herbage, usually in the shelter of a tussock of grass or low bush.
Eggs (Guide)
1 - 3; grey-brown with dark brown spots and blotches; long-oval; about 74 x 51 mm. Incubation: about 29 days; by both sexes.
Young
Fledge in 5 - 6 weeks.
Subspecies
Often placed in separate genus Gabianus, either alone or with Dolphin Gull (Larus scoresbii).
The following 2 subspecies are recognised:
pacificus Latham, 1801 - South-eastern Australia, breeding in Tasmania and around Westernport, Victoria, dispersing west to Portland, Victoria and north to Sydney, New South Wales.
georgii King, PP, 1826 - SA and WA, breeding north to Shark Bay, WA and east to South Australian Gulf.
Similar Species
Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus), which has a smaller bill, with red on the lower mandible, and a pure white tail.
References
See References.
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
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BirdLife International Species Factsheet