Audouin’s Gull

Ichthyaetus audouinii

Audouin's Gull (Ichthyaetus audouinii) — Shorebirds, Gulls & Auks of Europe & Northern Asia.

Field guide · LocationsWhere to see this bird

Found across 17 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.

Regional checklists

Birds of Germany Birds of Spain Birds of France Birds of the United Kingdom Birds of the Netherlands Birds of Portugal Birds of England Birds of Devon Birds of Kent Birds of Lincolnshire

By family

Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Germany Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Spain Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of France Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of the United Kingdom Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of the Netherlands Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Portugal Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of England

See what's near you right now

The Audouin’s Gull (Ichthyaetus audouinii) is a member of the Laridae family found in Europe & Northern Asia. Adults weigh 535 g.

Where it fits

Class Aves
Order Charadriiformes
Family Laridae Gulls, Terns, Skimmers
Genus Ichthyaetus
Species audouinii

Where it lives

Eastern North Atlantic coast of southern Portugal and Spain; coasts and islets of Mediterranean and associated seas to Cyprus and southern Turkey

Europe & Northern Asia

Quick facts

Weight: 535 g
Diet: Aquatic hunters
Family: Laridae
Order: Charadriiformes
Habitat: Wetland, lake & coast

How to identify

Similar birds

Near Threatened

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Audouin’s Gull hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Behaviour

A bird of open sea and coastal waters, it is highly aerial, spending much of its time on the wing.

Migration

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

The Audouin’s Gull (Ichthyaetus audouinii) belongs to the Laridae family of the order Charadriiformes. It is found across Europe & Northern Asia. Its distribution covers PAL e North Atlantic coast of s Portugal and Spain; coasts and islets of Mediterranean and associated seas to Cyprus and s Turkey.

It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 535 g, with a wing length of about 39.4 cm and a tail of around 15.1 cm.

Songs & calls

Audouin’s Gull — Nocturnal flight call

Recorded by Bosco Dies / BirdingAlbufera Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Audouin’s Gull?

The Audouin’s Gull is a large bird that weighs around 535 g.

Where does the Audouin’s Gull live?

The Audouin’s Gull is found across Europe & Northern Asia with a range covering PAL e North Atlantic coast of s Portugal and Spain; coasts and islets of Mediterranean and associated seas to Cyprus and s Turkey, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.

What family does the Audouin’s Gull belong to?

The Audouin’s Gull (Ichthyaetus audouinii) belongs to the Laridae family, in the order Charadriiformes.

What does the Audouin’s Gull eat?

The Audouin’s Gull hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Does the Audouin’s Gull migrate?

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

What sound does the Audouin’s Gull make?

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