BLACK-BACKED GULL

(*   282)            BLACK-BACKED GULL             Larus dominicanus

NEW ZEALAND               37

Ranges widely, feeds at rubbish tips, farmland, ploughed fields, beaches, harbours and behind boats, but rarely far out to sea. 60 cm. Breeds in circumpolar subantarctic; in New Zealand region, breeds on mainland coast, offshore and most outlying islands; also breeds far inland on riverbeds, near lakes and alpine tarns.

KELP GULL

282           KELP GULL           Larus dominicanus

Australia       (252)

Also known as Dominican Gull and Southern Black-backed Gull.  55-60 cm, 1.28 -1.4 m. Occurs in patches around coast of s and se mainland and Tasmania, small breeding colonies Moon Is., Five Is, and Sydney-Port Kembla region(NSW), Seal Rock (Vic)s. WA w. to Esperence Larger colonies on islands s. of Hobart, Also seen Townsville and Jurien Bay(WA).