The ivory gull is a small gull, the only species in the genus Pagophila. It is a resident breeding bird in the high Arctic and has a circumpolar distribution through Greenland, northernmost North America, and Eurasia.
Region
High Arctic (circumpolar)
Typical Environment
Breeds and ranges around pack ice and coastal tundra across the high Arctic of Greenland, northernmost Canada, Svalbard, and Arctic Russia. Prefers the edges of sea ice, polynyas, and leads where marine life is concentrated. Nests on remote islands, nunataks, gravel ridges, and cliff ledges with minimal predation. In winter it tracks drifting pack ice southward, occurring from the Labrador and Greenland seas to the Barents and Bering seas.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 500 m
Climate Zone
Polar
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The ivory gull is the only species in the genus Pagophila and is a quintessential bird of sea ice. It often follows polar bears and seals to scavenge remains and will also attend fishing vessels for offal. Populations are declining in parts of its range due to sea-ice loss, contamination, and past hunting pressure.
First-winter plumage
Second-winter plumage
Adult in flight
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
buoyant flier with steady wingbeats and frequent gliding over ice edges
Social Behavior
Breeds colonially or in loose groups on remote coastal or inland Arctic sites. Forms feeding aggregations at carcasses, ice edges, and around fishing vessels. Monogamous pairs share incubation and chick-rearing duties.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Vocalizations are harsh, mewing and squealing calls typical of gulls, often given in flight or at colonies. Also emits sharp alarm notes near the nest and guttural contact calls at feeding sites.
Plumage
Entirely white plumage with smooth, compact feathers; lacks the dark wing tips typical of many gulls.
Diet
Primarily a scavenger of marine mammal carcasses and offal, often following polar bears and seals to feed on remains. Takes fish, marine invertebrates, and zooplankton near ice edges. Will occasionally prey on eggs and chicks of other seabirds and forage at human refuse sites in Arctic settlements.
Preferred Environment
Feeds along pack-ice margins, polynyas, and open leads where prey concentrates. Also forages at tide cracks and coastal shorelines, and behind ships that discard fish waste.
