Photo: markaharper1 / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Not Evaluated

Shorebirds

Grey Gull

Leucophaeus modestus

Grey Gull (Leucophaeus modestus) — Shorebirds, Gulls & Auks of South America.

Field guide · LocationsWhere to see this bird

Found across 20 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.

Regional checklists

Birds of Argentina Birds of Brazil Birds of Germany Birds of Ecuador Birds of Mexico Birds of Peru Birds of the United States Birds of Alabama Birds of Florida Birds of Louisiana

By family

Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Argentina Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Brazil Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Germany Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Ecuador Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Mexico Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Peru Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of the United States Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Alabama Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Florida Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Louisiana

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The Grey Gull (Leucophaeus modestus) is a member of the Laridae family found in South America. Adults weigh 344 g.

Where it fits

Class Aves
Order Charadriiformes
Family Laridae Gulls, Terns, Skimmers
Genus Leucophaeus
Species modestus

Where it lives

Atacama Desert (northern Chile)

South America

Quick facts

Weight: 344 g
Diet: Aquatic hunters
Family: Laridae
Order: Charadriiformes
Habitat: Wetland, lake & coast

How to identify

Similar birds

Not Evaluated

White-eyed Gull

Ichthyaetus leucophthalmus

Not Evaluated

Grey-headed Gull

Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus

Least Concern

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Grey Gull hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Behaviour

A bird of open sea and coastal waters, it uses a wide range of foraging strategies.

Migration

The Grey Gull is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.

The Grey Gull (Leucophaeus modestus) is a species of bird in the Laridae family, part of the order Charadriiformes. It occurs naturally across South America. Its distribution covers SA Atacama Desert (n Chile).

It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 344 g, with a wing length of about 31.8 cm and a tail of around 11.7 cm.

Songs & calls

Grey Gull — Call

Recorded by Scott Olmstead Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Grey Gull?

The Grey Gull is a large bird that weighs around 344 g.

Where does the Grey Gull live?

The Grey Gull is found across South America with a range covering SA Atacama Desert (n Chile), where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.

What family does the Grey Gull belong to?

The Grey Gull (Leucophaeus modestus) belongs to the Laridae family, in the order Charadriiformes.

What does the Grey Gull eat?

The Grey Gull hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Does the Grey Gull migrate?

The Grey Gull is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.

What sound does the Grey Gull make?

1 real field recording of the Grey Gull — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.