Sooty Gull
NameSooty Gull
Common NameSooty Gull
Scientific NameIchthyaetus hemprichii
FamilyLaridae
Wingspan (cm)112.5
Length (cm)45.5
Weight (g)500
Plumage DetailsAdults have a dark sooty-brown head, neck, back, and upperwings, with pure white underparts. A distinctive white crescent is present above and below the eye. The bill is dark, often blackish, with a reddish or yellowish tip, and the legs are greenish-grey.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations include harsh, raucous calls, often described as a 'kraah' or a series of 'karr-karr-karr' notes.
Primary Dietomnivore
Primary Habitatscoastal
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeBreeds along the coasts of the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and Gulf of Aden, extending to parts of East Africa. Its non-breeding range extends further south along the East African coast and east to India.
Identifying FeaturesDark sooty-brown head and upperparts, White underparts, White crescent above and below the eye, Dark bill with a reddish or yellowish tip, Greenish-grey legs
Description
The Sooty Gull is a medium-sized gull characterized by its dark brown head, back, and wings contrasting sharply with its white underparts. It is a coastal species, often seen scavenging along shorelines and in harbors.
