So Seagulls have a bad reputation, right. They’re loud, messy, aggressive, always trying to steal your chips. Although to be fair, an aggressive chip acquisition policy is behaviour I can really get behind. Respect.
But the world of Gulls is a big one. There are some 50+ Gulls out there, and today we meet one of the more unique: Sabine’s Gull.
You’re not likely to come across Sabine’s Gull. They breed up in the high artic during the northern summer, before migrating south to escape the harsh winter. They have two wintering grounds, the west coast of southern Africa, and the west coast of South America.
For my money, Sabine’s Gull is one of the most elegant Gulls we have. They have instantly recognisable colourings. When in flight they have a bold tricolour patterning of grey, white and black spread over their wings. This is combined with a pure white dove tail and a coal black hood over their head. Of all the Gulls, Sabine’s is one of the most distinct.
Sabine’s Gull is named after a pair of English naturalists brothers, Joseph and Edward Sabine. Edward was the first European to collect a specimen of the Gull, while on an expedition to find the Northwest Passage with John Ross (who fun fact also has a Gull named after him).
Because these days some people are growing increasingly uncomfortable with how many birds bear the name of Europeans, this Gull is sometimes called the Xeme Gull. However, it seems this word was invented by a different naturalists and apparently has no meaning… We could always call it the Swallow-tailed Gull… if only there wasn’t already a different bird with the exact same name.
Names aside, Sabine’s Gull has a certain gorgeous grace all of its own. Far from the screaming quayside bully we’re used to seeing in our everyday life, Sabine’s Gull makes for a pleasant change. Although to be fair, their call is just as harsh and raspy.
22/10/2023
Photo credit:
1: Alan Tate: https://www.aabirdpix.com/
2/3: Photographer unknown
Bird of the Week 
Fantastic shot.
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