Ivory Gull

The Ivory Gull (Pagophila eburnea) is a distinctive and small gull, the sole representative of its genus. It is characterized by its entirely white plumage, which gleams like polished ivory. This bird is approximately 43 centimeters in length, with a pigeon-like build that sets it apart from other gulls in the Larus genus.

Identification Tips

Adult Ivory Gulls are unmistakable with their pure white feathers. They possess a robust, blue bill with a striking yellow tip, and during the breeding season, their eyes are encircled by a vivid red ring. Their legs are a stark black, contrasting with their snowy plumage. Juveniles can be identified by a smudged face and speckles of black on their wings and tail, which they lose as they reach maturity over two years.

Habitat

The Ivory Gull is a bird of the high Arctic, favoring the stark landscapes of ice and open water. It breeds on the coasts and cliffs within this frigid realm.

Distribution

With a circumpolar distribution, the Ivory Gull is found across Greenland, the northernmost regions of North America, and Eurasia. In North America, it is known to breed exclusively in the Canadian Arctic, with significant colonies on islands such as Seymour and Ellesmere.

Behaviour

This gull is known for its short migratory patterns, often wintering at the edge of the pack ice in northern latitudes. It is an opportunistic feeder, scavenging on carcasses left by larger predators, and is also known to follow polar bears to feed on the remnants of their meals.

Song & Calls

The Ivory Gull's vocal repertoire includes a harsh, tern-like "keeeer" flight call. It also emits a warbling "fox-call" when predators are near its nest, a "long-call" during breeding displays, and a plaintive begging call during courtship.

Breeding

Breeding takes place on Arctic coasts and cliffs, where the Ivory Gull lays one to three olive eggs in a nest lined with moss, lichens, or seaweed.

Similar Species

Due to its unique all-white plumage and habitat, the Ivory Gull has no similar species within its range.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Ivory Gull includes fish, crustaceans, rodents, eggs, and small chicks. It is also known to scavenge, taking advantage of carrion such as seal or porpoise corpses.

Conservation status

The Ivory Gull is currently classified as "Near Threatened" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The population is estimated to be between 19,000 and 27,000 individuals, with a noted decline in Canada and uncertain trends in other parts of its range. Threats include illegal hunting and the loss of sea ice, which impacts their breeding success.