Story: Gulls, terns and skuas

Black-billed gulls

Black-billed gulls

Black-billed gulls are specialists of stony river beds like this one, the Cardrona River in Central Otago. They feed on small fish, skinks and aquatic insects. After the breeding season they move to the coast. This inland breeding gull is New Zealand’s only endemic gull – found nowhere else.

Using this item

Department of Conservation
Reference: 10045498
Photograph by P. Bush

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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/6119/black-billed-gulls (accessed 29 March 2024)

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