The kelp gull, also known as the Dominican gull, is a gull that breeds on coasts and islands through much of the Southern Hemisphere. The nominate L. d. dominicanus is the subspecies found around South America, parts of Australia, and New Zealand. L. d. vetula is a subspecies occurring around Southern Africa.
Region
Southern Hemisphere coasts and subantarctic islands
Typical Environment
Found along temperate and subtropical coasts of South America, southern Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and many subantarctic islands. It frequents rocky and sandy shores, estuaries, harbors, and coastal lagoons, and often ventures inland to large lakes and rubbish tips. Breeds on coastal islands, dunes, saltmarsh margins, and remote stacks, forming colonies on open ground or among low vegetation. Readily uses human-altered habitats, including fishing ports and landfills.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1000 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The kelp gull, also called the Dominican gull, is a large, adaptable gull of Southern Hemisphere coasts. It is a bold scavenger that readily exploits fisheries discards and refuse and is known to drop shellfish onto rocks to crack them. Some populations show unusual behaviors, such as pecking at marine mammals to feed on skin and blubber. Two main subspecies occur: L. d. dominicanus in South America, Australia and New Zealand, and L. d. vetula around southern Africa.
Temperament
opportunistic and bold
Flight Pattern
strong flier with steady wingbeats and soaring glides on coastal winds
Social Behavior
Typically nests colonially on islands or open coastal sites; pairs are largely monogamous and defend territories around the nest. Clutches usually contain 2–3 eggs, and both parents share incubation and chick rearing. Outside breeding, it forms loose flocks at rich food sources and communal roosts.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Vocalizations include loud, harsh caws and wails typical of large gulls, plus short barks and yelps in aggressive or alarm contexts. Courtship and colony calls include repeated, ringing notes with head-tossing displays.
Plumage
Adult with glossy black mantle and upperwings contrasting with white head, underparts, rump, and tail; broad white wing mirrors. Juveniles mottled brown transitioning through mottled phases to adult plumage over several years.
Diet
An opportunistic omnivore that takes fish, marine invertebrates, carrion, and offal, as well as eggs and chicks of other birds. Regularly scavenges at fisheries and harbors and forages at coastal landfills and beaches. It also kleptoparasitizes other seabirds and drops shellfish and sea urchins to break them open.
Preferred Environment
Feeds along surf zones, intertidal flats, rocky shores, and estuaries, often following boats. Common at ports, fish markets, dumps, and river mouths where food concentrates.
