Kelp Gull, in Patagonia

The Kelp Gull is the dominant large gull species in much of the southern hemisphere. I mostly remember it for how it stood up to fiece winds as our boat crossed Lago Nahuel Huapi. The lead photo illustrates that pretty well. It was windy.

Gulls are not my favorite birds to ID. As per Birds of the World, these are relatively easy:

Large, with very dark black upperparts and pale yellow-green legs, this gull is easily distinguished from other gulls in its range. 

I managed several shots during a six-month tramping through South American in 2013. This first set, along with the lead photo, were taken on Argentina’s Lago Nahuel Huapi in its eponymous national park, west of San Carlos de Bariloche, on 8 March 2013.

The images below were taken about a month earlier on 3 February, 2013 at the Laguna Nimez Reserve in Calafate, Argentina.

Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus) in brief (with an assist by WordPress AI):

• Size: Approximately 60–70 cm (24–28 in) in length with a wingspan of 140–155 cm (55–61 in).
• Diet: Omnivorous; feeds on fish, crustaceans, and scavenges on human food and waste.
• Habitat: Typically found in coastal regions, estuaries, and lakes, often near human settlements.
• Physical Description: Stocky body with a robust bill; adult has a distinctive black back and white underparts, yellow bill with a red spot.
• Breeding: Breeds in colonies; nests are typically made on the ground with grasses and debris.
• Conservation Status: Listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, population is stable.
• Unique Behaviors: Known for its intelligence; adept at using tools and problem-solving, often follows fishing boats to scavenge.
• Range and Migration: Breeds in southern South America, primarily in Argentina and Chile; migrates northward during winter months to warmer coastal areas.

More:

• Kelp Gull at Birds of the World
• Kelp Gull at BirdLife DataZone
• Kelp Gull at eBird
• Kelp Gull at Avibase
• Kelp Gull at Wikipedia
• Kelp Gull at iNaturalist
• Kelp Gull at Oiseaux.net

Images from 3 February and 8 March 2013. Post last updated on 4 August 2025.