Overview
Belcher's Gull: Formerly known as the Band-tailed Gull. Has a mostly white body with black back, distinctive black tail band, yellow legs, feet. Black wings with white trailing edges. Yellow bill; lower mandible tipped with red, upper mandible tipped with black. Strong direct flight.
Range and Habitat
Belcher's Gull: Native to Chile and Peru, accidental in Florida and California. Prefers rocky or sandy seashore, shallow coastal habitats, tidal flats, mudflats and open sea.
Topo Map:
Gull-like Body
Voice Text
Unknown
Interesting Facts
Throughout the guano islands of Peru, Belcher's Gull is regarded as the most serious enemy of guano-producing birds. In most guano-islands, guardians are encouraged to shoot the gulls in order to reduce the population.
The name of this bird commemorates the British explorer Sir Edward Belcher.
A group of gulls has many collective nouns, including a "flotilla", "gullery", "screech", "scavenging", and "squabble" of gulls.
Bird Term Glossary
Author
Jane Wright
Artist
David Wenzel
.