Photo: DickDaniels (http://theworldbirds.org/) / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Least Concern

Shorebirds

Belcher’s Gull

Larus belcheri

Belcher's Gull (Larus belcheri) — Shorebirds, Gulls & Auks of South America.

Field guide · LocationsWhere to see this bird

Found across 12 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.

Regional checklists

Birds of Colombia Birds of Ecuador Birds of Peru Birds of the United States Birds of California Birds of Florida

By family

Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Colombia Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Ecuador Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Peru Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of the United States Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of California Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Florida

See what's near you right now

The Belcher’s Gull (Larus belcheri) is a member of the Laridae family found in South America. Adults weigh 639 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List

LC Least Concern

Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.

Where it fits

Class Aves
Order Charadriiformes
Family Laridae Gulls, Terns, Skimmers
Genus Larus
Species belcheri

Where it lives

Western coast and islets of South America from northern Peru to northern Chile

South America

Quick facts

Weight: 639 g
Diet: Aquatic hunters
Family: Laridae
Order: Charadriiformes
Habitat: Wetland, lake & coast

How to identify

Similar birds

Least Concern

Biology & behaviour

Diet

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

The Belcher’s Gull (Larus belcheri) is a member of the Laridae family, within the order Charadriiformes. Its range spans South America. Its distribution covers SA w coast and islets of South America from n Peru to n Chile.

It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 639 g, with a wing length of about 36.5 cm and a tail of around 13.6 cm.

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

The species has a mapped global range of roughly 327,000 km².

Songs & calls

Belcher’s Gull — Call

Recorded by Jacek Betleja Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Belcher’s Gull?

The Belcher’s Gull is a large bird that weighs around 639 g.

Where does the Belcher’s Gull live?

The Belcher’s Gull is found across South America with a range covering SA w coast and islets of South America from n Peru to n Chile, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.

What family does the Belcher’s Gull belong to?

The Belcher’s Gull (Larus belcheri) belongs to the Laridae family, in the order Charadriiformes.

What does the Belcher’s Gull eat?

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

Does the Belcher’s Gull migrate?

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

Is the Belcher’s Gull endangered?

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

What sound does the Belcher’s Gull make?

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

How large is the Belcher’s Gull's range?

The Belcher’s Gull has a mapped global range of about 327,000 km².