Story: Gulls, terns and skuas

Courtship

Courtship

Red-billed gulls prepare for breeding in October, engaging in courtship behaviour. Pairs build a nest of seaweed or grasses before the female lays two or three eggs. There are more females than males in the breeding population, as females live longer. After mating, some males move on to a new partner, and two females might create pair bonds and raise the chicks together. This is the case for about 6% of nests.

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Department of Conservation
Reference: 10043230
Photograph by Rod Morris

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How to cite this page:

Gerard Hutching, 'Gulls, terns and skuas - Red- and black-billed gulls', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/6116/courtship (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Gerard Hutching, published 12 Jun 2006, reviewed & revised 17 Feb 2015