Sooty Gull

The Sooty Gull, scientifically known as Ichthyaetus hemprichii, is a coastal bird with a distinctive appearance. It is also referred to as the Aden Gull or Hemprich's Gull, named in honor of the German naturalist Wilhelm Hemprich.

Identification Tips

This species exhibits a sooty-grey plumage, which is where it derives its common name. The gull's wings are tipped with white, and it has a robust body typical of gulls. Its bill is stout and slightly hooked, suitable for its varied diet.

Habitat

The Sooty Gull is a bird of the coast, rarely venturing more than 10 kilometers out to sea. It is often found in ports, harbors, and along the intertidal zone, preferring the proximity of inshore islands and coastal reefs.

Distribution

The bird's native range includes the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Oman, and the Persian Gulf, extending eastward to Pakistan. It is also found along the east coast of Africa, reaching as far south as Tanzania and Mozambique. It appears as a vagrant in several other regions, including India and Sri Lanka.

Behaviour

The Sooty Gull is both a predator and a scavenger, feeding on a variety of marine life such as discarded fish, prawns, and the young of turtles and other seabirds. It is known to be nomadic or partially migratory, with some populations moving south after the breeding season.

Breeding

Breeding occurs in the summer, with the Sooty Gull nesting in small colonies on coral islands, often protected by reefs. Nests may be solitary or interspersed among other colonial seabirds, ranging from bare scrapes in coral to more sheltered spots beneath vegetation.

Conservation status

The IUCN has classified the Sooty Gull as Least Concern due to its wide range and large population. Although the population trend is downward, the rate of decrease does not yet warrant a more threatened status. The species faces threats from habitat disturbance due to oil exploration, land reclamation, and potential oil spills.