Photo: williamstephens56 / CC BY 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Sooty Gull
Ichthyaetus hemprichii
Sooty Gull (Ichthyaetus hemprichii) — Shorebirds, Gulls & Auks of Africa.
Found across 10 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Sooty Gull (Ichthyaetus hemprichii) is a member of the Laridae family found in Africa and Europe & Northern Asia. Adults weigh 452 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Charadriiformes
- Family Laridae Gulls, Terns, Skimmers
- Genus Ichthyaetus
- Species hemprichii
Where it lives
Islands of Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Socotra, northwestern Indian Ocean to northeastern Kenya, Persian Gulf and northwestern Arabian Sea to southern Pakistan
Quick facts
- Weight
- 452 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Laridae
- Order
- Charadriiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Not Evaluated
Not Evaluated
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Sooty Gull is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of open sea and coastal waters, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Sooty Gull is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Sooty Gull (Ichthyaetus hemprichii) belongs to the Laridae family of the order Charadriiformes. It occurs naturally across Africa and Europe & Northern Asia. Its distribution covers AF, PAL islands of Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Socotra, nw Indian Ocean to ne Kenya, Persian Gulf and nw Arabian Sea to s Pakistan.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 452 g, with a wing length of about 34.1 cm and a tail of around 12.3 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Sooty Gull?
The Sooty Gull is a large bird that weighs around 452 g.
Where does the Sooty Gull live?
The Sooty Gull is found across Africa and Europe & Northern Asia with a range covering AF, PAL islands of Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Socotra, nw Indian Ocean to ne Kenya, Persian Gulf and nw Arabian Sea to s Pakistan, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Sooty Gull belong to?
The Sooty Gull (Ichthyaetus hemprichii) belongs to the Laridae family, in the order Charadriiformes.
What does the Sooty Gull eat?
The Sooty Gull is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Sooty Gull migrate?
The Sooty Gull is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Sooty 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 Sooty Gull make?
1 real field recording of the Sooty Gull — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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