Lava Gull (Larus fuliginosus)
Monotypic, presumably related to
Laughing Gull. Found only in the Galapagos Islands and probably one of
the world's rarest gulls. The total world population is estimated at only
400 pairs!!
Adult plumage is acquired in the
third year. All plumages are sooty-brown or sooty-gray.
Adult Lava Gull. Significantly
larger than Laughing Gull (L. atricilla), which it resembles. The white
rather than gray eye-crescents suggest this individual is in alternate
rather than basic plumage. Notice how the dark hood is clearly differentiated
from the grayer body. Photographed in the Galapagos Islands during early
November. Copyright of Angus Wilson©.
Copyright © 1999 All rights
reserved. Angus Wilson
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