Audouin's Gull

Ichthyaetus audouinii

A distinctive Mediterranean seabird with coral-red bill and legs, this gull's graceful flight and specialised fishing habits set it apart from its cousins.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Audouin's Gull is a striking seabird. Its pristine white head and underparts contrast beautifully with its pale grey back and wings. Its most distinctive feature is the long, coral-red bill, often tipped with black and yellow. The dark eyes are surrounded by a red orbital ring.

Adults display a similar appearance year-round, with slightly duller colours in winter. Juveniles have brown mottling on their backs and wings, gradually acquiring adult plumage over three years.

Size

Length

48cm to 52cm

Wingspan

117cm to 128cm

Weight

550g to 770g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

White Grey

Secondary Colour

Black

Beak Colour

Red

Leg Colour

Grey

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Audouin's Gull is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Audouin's Gull is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Audouin's Gull is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Audouin's Gull can be found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Audouin's Gull is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Audouin's Gull is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Audouin's Gull is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Audouin's Gull is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Audouin's Gull is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Audouin's Gull is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Audouin's Gull is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Audouin's Gull is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Audouin's Gulls are predominantly found along the Mediterranean Sea coastlines, with the largest populations in Spain, Greece, and Turkey. They prefer sandy or rocky coastal areas, small islands, and occasionally inland wetlands.

During the non-breeding season, some individuals migrate to the Atlantic coasts of Morocco and Senegal. A small number may occasionally be spotted along the southern coasts of the UK, particularly during post-breeding dispersal.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 100 meters

Climate zones

Mediterranean, Subtropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Audouin's Gull. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons