Armenian Gull

The Armenian gull (Larus armenicus) is a member of the gull family, Laridae, recognized for its fairly large size within the "herring gull" complex. This species exhibits a wingspan ranging from 120 to 145 cm and a body length between 52 to 62 cm, with an average weight of 600 to 960 grams. It is the smallest within its complex.

Identification Tips

Adult Armenian gulls are distinguished by their slightly darker grey backs compared to their yellow-legged counterparts, coupled with dark eyes. The wingtips are adorned with a more extensive area of black, punctuated by smaller white spots. A notable feature is the short bill, accented with a distinct black band near the tip. Juveniles display a predominantly brown plumage with a pale rump, lighter inner primary feathers, and a narrow, well-defined black band on the tail.

Habitat

The Armenian gull breeds beside mountain lakes, favoring the high-altitude aquatic environments of Georgia, Armenia, Turkey, and western Iran.

Distribution

This species is known to nest in significant numbers at Lake Sevan and Lake Arpi in Armenia. As a partial migrant, the Armenian gull winters along the coasts of Turkey, Lebanon, and Israel, with smaller contingents reaching as far as Cyprus, Egypt, and the Persian Gulf.

Behaviour

During the breeding season, Armenian gulls form dense colonies with nests in close proximity, leading to frequent territorial disputes among the birds.

Breeding

The nest of the Armenian gull is a mound of vegetation situated on the ground, often on an island or lakeshore. The typical clutch consists of three eggs, predominantly laid in late April. The high density of nesting sites within colonies is a hallmark of this species' breeding behavior.

Similar Species

The Armenian gull bears a striking resemblance to the California gull (Larus californicus) due to its dark mantle, bill markings, and dark eye, despite their non-overlapping ranges.

Conservation status

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified the Armenian gull as Least Concern, indicating that the species does not currently face an immediate threat of extinction.