Red-billed Gull, Tarāpunga
Chroicocephalus novaehollandiaeBird Songs
Information
New Zealand status: Native
Conservation status: Declining
The red-billed gull/tarāpunga is the most common gull in New Zealand.
They are almost completely white but the mantle, back and wing coverts are pale grey. The main flight feathers are black with white tips. The iris is white and the bill, eyelids and feet are scarlet, especially in the breeding season. Immature adults can often be confused with the closely related black-billed gull.
Although not often seen inland, they are fairly common to see flying in the distance from the Town Belt.
