Birds Active during the day

Dolphin Gull

Leucophaeus scoresbii

iNaturalist eBird Wikipedia

A striking specialist of the southern coasts, the Dolphin Gull stands out with its vivid crimson bill and sophisticated slate-grey plumage. Found only at the rugged tip of South America, this clever scavenger is a master of the sub-Antarctic shoreline.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Length of 40–46 cm (16–18 in) with a wingspan of 104–110 cm (41–43 in); weighs approximately 520–550 g (1.1–1.2 lbs).

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Colors

Adults feature a pale grey head and neck, dark slate-grey wings and back, and a light grey underbelly. Their most striking feature is the deep blood-red bill and legs. Juveniles are mottled brownish-grey with dark bills.

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Key Features

Bright blood-red bill and legs
Dark slate-grey wings contrasting with a lighter grey body
Pale yellow iris with a thin red orbital ring
Sturdy, deep-based bill shape

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active during the day

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Peak hours 7 AM - 6 PM

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Season Year-round

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Diet A generalist scavenger and predator; eats mussels, marine invertebrates, fish, carrion, and is a frequent nest raider of eggs and chicks.

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Habitat Rugged coastal environments including rocky shorelines, kelp forests, estuaries, and sandy beaches.

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Where Does the Dolphin Gull Live?

South America is the exclusive home of the Dolphin Gull, where it thrives along the southern coastlines of Chile and Argentina. Its range is most concentrated around the windswept archipelago of Tierra del Fuego and extends eastward to the Falkland Islands. These birds are year-round residents of these sub-Antarctic regions, rarely wandering north of the 40th parallel south.

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3 Countries

1.2M km² Range

Least Concern Conservation

AR Argentina CL Chile Falkland Islands

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iNaturalist / Verified observation data

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Behavior

The Dolphin Gull is a bold and highly opportunistic scavenger, often regarded as one of the most specialized gulls in the southern hemisphere. Unlike many of its relatives that scavenge in landfills, this species is intimately tied to the lifecycle of other marine animals. They are frequently found loitering around colonies of penguins, seals, and cormorants, where they expertly steal eggs, scavenge placentas, or even consume the excrement of sea lions for nutrients.

Socially, they are gregarious but aggressive when it comes to food. They utilize a behavior known as kleptoparasitism, where they harass other birds until they drop their catch. Despite their tough reputation, they are also quite vocal and exhibit a variety of complex displays during the breeding season, including a distinct 'long call' accompanied by a bowing motion. They are strictly coastal and rarely venture far out to sea or deep into the interior mainland.

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Camera Tips

To capture the stunning contrast of the Dolphin Gull’s red bill against its grey plumage, position your camera at a low 'bird’s-eye' level, roughly 6 to 10 inches off the ground. Placing the camera near the high-tide line on rocky shores or near large kelp wash-ups is ideal, as these birds spend a significant amount of time patrolling the water's edge for stranded invertebrates. Use a wide-angle lens if possible to capture the bird within the context of the dramatic Patagonian landscape.

Because Dolphin Gulls are remarkably bold and curious, they may approach your camera to investigate it. Ensure your housing is secure and the lens is protected from salt spray and pecking. If you are setting up near a known scavenging site, such as a sea lion haul-out or a penguin colony (observing all local distance regulations), use a high-speed trigger setting. These birds move quickly when competing for food, and a fast shutter speed is necessary to freeze the action during their frequent aerial squabbles.

Lighting can be tricky on the often-overcast southern coasts. Aim to capture footage during the 'golden hours' of early morning or late afternoon when the sun is low. This lighting beautifully saturates the red of their bill and legs, which can otherwise look dark or black in poor light. If your camera allows for it, increasing the exposure compensation slightly can help bring out the detail in their dark slate-grey wings without washing out the lighter grey of their heads.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Dolphin Gull.

Kelp Gull

Much larger than the Dolphin Gull, with a white head and underparts and a yellow bill.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Dolphin Gulls are strictly diurnal, meaning they are most active during daylight hours. They are frequently seen foraging along the shoreline from dawn until dusk, with peak activity often occurring at low tide when the rocks and tidal pools are exposed.

If you live in a coastal town like Ushuaia or Port Stanley, these birds may visit backyards near the water. They are attracted to fish scraps or compost, but the best way to see them naturally is to place a camera near rocky shorelines or kelp piles where they forage for crustaceans.

Dolphin Gulls are opportunistic generalists. Their diet includes mussels, crabs, and other marine invertebrates found in kelp forests, as well as carrion, fish, and the eggs or chicks of other seabirds like penguins and cormorants.

They are common in coastal human settlements and fishing ports within their range. While they aren't typically found in inland suburban gardens, they are very comfortable around piers, docks, and coastal promenades.

Dolphin Gulls are smaller and have a grey body with a bright red bill and legs. Kelp Gulls are significantly larger, have a white body with a black back, and possess a yellow bill with a red spot on the tip.

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