Hartlaub's Gull

The Hartlaub's gull (Chroicocephalus hartlaubii), also colloquially known as the king gull, is a small, nimble seabird with a length of 36–38 cm. Its plumage is predominantly white, complemented by a grey back and upperwings. The wingtips are black, adorned with striking white "mirrors." A notable feature is its dark red bill and legs. During the breeding season, it sports a very faint lavender grey hood, while outside of this period, its head remains plain white. Both sexes exhibit similar markings. The Hartlaub's gull is distinguishable from the slightly larger grey-headed gull by its thinner, darker bill, deeper red legs, paler head, and dark eyes. It reaches full maturity in two years, and juveniles can be identified by a brown band across the wings, lacking a black terminal tail band and presenting less dark areas in the wings compared to their grey-headed counterparts.

Identification Tips

When observing Hartlaub's gulls, look for the combination of their dark red bill and legs, the white "mirrors" on the black wingtips, and the faint grey hood during breeding season. Juveniles will have a brown band on the wings and darker legs, with a white head that distinguishes them from similar-aged grey-headed gulls.

Habitat

Hartlaub's gull is a coastal species, favoring the shores and estuaries rather than the open ocean. It is not considered pelagic and is seldom seen far from land.

Distribution

This gull is a non-migratory breeding resident endemic to the Atlantic coastline of South Africa and Namibia. A significant portion of its population, estimated at around 30,000 birds, resides within the Greater Cape Town area.

Behaviour

Hartlaub's gull is highly social and gregarious, especially in winter. It is known for its raucous, crow-like kaaarrh call, which can be quite loud, particularly in urban colonies. The species has adapted well to human presence and can become very tame around human habitations. Despite being relatively rare globally, it is common within its range and is often considered a nuisance in cities due to its fouling of buildings and noisy nature.

Song & Calls

The Hartlaub's gull emits a distinctive and noisy kaaarrh call, which has been the subject of complaints in urban environments due to its volume and persistence.

Breeding

Large colonies of Hartlaub's gulls can be found breeding on Robben Island, near Cape Town. Adults make considerable efforts to feed their chicks, flying to the mainland and back, a round trip of approximately 24 km.

Diet and Feeding

An omnivorous bird, the Hartlaub's gull scavenges at waste tips and consumes scraps, in addition to seeking out small prey in shallow waters.

Conservation status

The Hartlaub's gull is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Despite its rarity on a global scale, it is common within its limited range and does not face immediate threats to its population.