Birds
Dolphin Gull
Leucophaeus scoresbii
Along the rocky shores of southern South America, a dolphin gull’s bright red bill and legs flash against jet-black plumage as it scavenges scraps near colonies of seals and penguins, one of the most range-restricted gulls in the world.
Overview
The dolphin gull, Leucophaeus scoresbii, is a Least Concern seabird found almost nowhere outside the coasts of southern Chile, Argentina, and the Falkland Islands. Its striking red bill and legs, bold black-and-white plumage, and close association with marine mammal and penguin colonies make it one of the more distinctive gulls of the Southern Hemisphere.
A scavenger’s advantage
By gathering around breeding colonies of seals, sea lions, and penguins, the dolphin gull takes advantage of afterbirth, abandoned eggs, and carrion, a reliable food source that keeps it tied closely to these colonies year-round.
Status
Least Concern, remaining widespread and locally common across its narrow coastal range, supported by abundant scavenging opportunities around the region’s many marine mammal and seabird colonies.
Dolphin Gull: common questions
Why is it called the dolphin gull?
The exact origin of the name is debated, but it is thought to reference the bird's gliding flight style over coastal waters, rather than any direct association with dolphins.
What does the dolphin gull eat?
It is an opportunistic scavenger, feeding on mussels, carrion, eggs, and food scraps, often gathering around colonies of seals, sea lions, and penguins to take advantage of afterbirth and abandoned eggs.
Where is the dolphin gull found?
It has one of the most restricted ranges of any gull, limited to the coasts of southern Chile, Argentina, and the Falkland Islands.
Does the dolphin gull migrate?
No, it generally stays close to its coastal range year-round rather than undertaking the long migrations seen in many other gull species.