Relict Gull

Ichthyaetus relictus

Relict Gull (Ichthyaetus relictus) — Shorebirds, Gulls & Auks of Europe & Northern Asia.

The Relict Gull (Ichthyaetus relictus) is a member of the Laridae family found in Europe & Northern Asia. Adults weigh 490 g.

Where it fits

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

Where it lives

Lakes of northeastern Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Inner Mongolia and Shaanxi (north-central China) and Transbaikalia (southeastern Russia)

Europe & Northern Asia

Quick facts

Weight: 490 g
Diet: Aquatic hunters
Family: Laridae
Order: Charadriiformes
Habitat: Wetland, lake & coast

How to identify

Similar birds

Least Concern

Brown-headed Gull

Chroicocephalus brunnicephalus

Vulnerable

Biology & behaviour

Diet

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

Behaviour

A bird of wetlands, it is highly aerial, spending much of its time on the wing.

Migration

The Relict Gull is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.

The Relict Gull (Ichthyaetus relictus) is a species of bird in the Laridae family, part of the order Charadriiformes. It is found across Europe & Northern Asia. Its distribution covers PAL lakes of ne Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Inner Mongolia and Shaanxi (nc China) and Transbaikalia (se Russia).

It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 490 g, with a wing length of about 33.5 cm and a tail of around 12.9 cm.

Songs & calls

Relict Gull — Call, flight call, song

Recorded by Terry Townshend Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Relict Gull?

The Relict Gull is a large bird that weighs around 490 g.

Where does the Relict Gull live?

The Relict Gull is found across Europe & Northern Asia with a range covering PAL lakes of ne Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Inner Mongolia and Shaanxi (nc China) and Transbaikalia (se Russia), where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.

What family does the Relict Gull belong to?

The Relict Gull (Ichthyaetus relictus) belongs to the Laridae family, in the order Charadriiformes.

What does the Relict Gull eat?

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

Does the Relict Gull migrate?

The Relict Gull is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.

What sound does the Relict Gull make?

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