Dolphin Gull
Blutschnabelmöwe ( Leucophaeus scoresbii )
The Blutschnabelmöwe ( Leucophaeus scoresbii ) ( synonym Larus scoresbii ) is a monotypic gull species that occurs in southern South America. It is a medium-sized gull with a short, but very powerful and in adult birds striking red-colored beak. She is confused in their area of distribution with no other gull species. The also white-headed and tailed Kelp, which is found in the same distribution area is considerably larger.
Appearance
The Blutschnabelmöwe reaches a body length of 40-46 inches. The wing length is 30.6 to 33.9 inches, the wingspan of 104-110 centimeters. On average, the animals weigh 524 grams. Males are slightly larger than females on average.
Adult red-billed gulls are distinctive in breeding plumage. You then have a white head and a white body bottom, which is easily washed out gray. Trunk and tail are slightly whitish. The wings are black, but these end up on a wide white Federsaum which is especially conspicuous in flight. The secondaries are hand slightly greyish. The legs and beak are bright red. The yellowish-white eye is surrounded by a striking red eye ring. In Plain dress the head is grayish.
Young birds have a gray- brown head and an equally colored upper chest, which distinguishes them from all other species of gulls. The belly is white, the back and upper wing surface is black brownish. On the tail feathers a dark transverse band runs. Immature individuals towards the end of the first year of life still the same young birds, but already have a whitish chest and throat. Two - and three-year birds have an increasing resemblance to the adult birds, but do not have a dark upper head and the neck is still dark colored. The iris has the second summer already on the coloration of the adult birds.
Distribution area
The distribution of Blutschnabelmöwe includes the coasts of southern Chile and southern Argentina to Tierra del Fuego, as well as the islands of Cape Horn and the Falkland Islands. During the winter months draw blood billed Gulls little further to the north.
Way of life
Red-billed gulls are omnivorous, but feed mainly on carrion, bird eggs and their chicks. They also eat marine invertebrates, shellfish and insects. During their search for food they browse regularly washed up on the beach algae. They also hunt other gulls and cormorants from the food.
Red-billed gulls are colony breeders. The colonies are usually relatively small, they are regularly associated therein with kelp gulls. The breeding season begins in early November at the earliest, but usually mostly only in December. The nest is protected from rocks or grass tufts erected. It consists of Tang or other plants that Nistmulde is usually interpreted with grass. The nest consists of two to three eggs. These have a gray -green to olive -beige color. The incubation period is 24 to 27 days. The chicks leave the nest at an age of two to five days and form groups of children when they are older.