Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Laridae
The Kelp Gull is a large, robust gull with striking black-and-white plumage and a yellow bill marked with a red spot. Common along the coasts of Patagonia, it is highly adaptable and can be found in a variety of marine and freshwater environments. Its opportunistic feeding habits allow it to thrive near human settlements, fishing ports, and natural shorelines. The species is known for its intelligence and resourcefulness, often using tools or dropping shellfish onto rocks to break them open. Kelp Gulls are social birds, frequently seen in flocks, and are vocal with a range of harsh calls. They breed in colonies, nesting on cliffs, islands, or even flat beaches, and both parents share in raising the chicks. Their ability to exploit diverse food sources, from fish and invertebrates to carrion and human refuse, makes them a prominent and sometimes controversial presence in Patagonian ecosystems.
Habitat
Coastal areas, estuaries, lakes, rivers, and sometimes inland wetlands throughout Patagonia.
Foraging
Feeds on fish, invertebrates, carrion, eggs, and scraps; often scavenges near humans and follows fishing boats.
