The dolphin gull, sometimes erroneously called the red-billed gull, is a gull native to southern Chile and Argentina, and the Falkland Islands. It is a coastal bird inhabiting rocky, muddy and sandy shores and is often found around seabird colonies. They have greyish feathers, and the feathers on their wings are a darker shade. Dolphin gulls have a varied diet, eating many things ranging from mussels to carrion.
Region
Southern South America and Falkland Islands
Typical Environment
Found along the coasts of southern Chile and Argentina, including Tierra del Fuego, and the Falkland Islands. It frequents rocky, muddy, and sandy shores, kelp-lined bays, harbors, and estuaries. The species is particularly common near seabird and seal colonies where food is abundant. It rarely ventures far inland and is mostly tied to marine shorelines year-round.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 200 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Despite often being called the red-billed gull in error, the dolphin gull is a distinct South American species closely tied to rocky coasts and seabird and marine-mammal colonies. It is a bold scavenger that readily feeds on intertidal invertebrates, carrion, offal, and even eggs or chicks of other seabirds. Adults show striking red bill, legs, and eye-ring against a slate-gray body.
Immature
Temperament
opportunistic and bold
Flight Pattern
direct flight with steady wingbeats; capable of agile, low coastal passes
Social Behavior
Often gathers in loose flocks at rich feeding sites and around seabird or seal colonies. Breeds in small to moderate colonies on rocky ledges, islets, or tussock-covered slopes. Both parents share incubation and chick-rearing duties.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are typical gull-like, with harsh, nasal keeyah and kek-kek calls. At colonies it gives loud, scolding notes and repeated alarm calls when disturbed.
Plumage
Sooty to slate-gray body with darker upperwings and blackish primaries; paler gray underparts with clean white underwing and tail accents.
Diet
Takes mussels, limpets, crabs, and other intertidal invertebrates, often prying or dropping shellfish to break them. Readily scavenges carrion, fish scraps, and offal near fishing operations. Also raids eggs and small chicks of other seabirds and picks larvae and organic matter from wrack lines.
Preferred Environment
Feeds along rocky shorelines, tidepools, mudflats, beaches, and kelp beds. Common around colonies of cormorants, penguins, and marine mammals where food wastes are available.
