Ivory Gull

pagophila eburnea

The Ivory Gull is a ghostly, breathtakingly beautiful seabird of the High Arctic, immediately recognizable by its pure, snow-white plumage. Inhabiting some of the harshest environments on Earth, this medium-sized gull remains associated with pack ice throughout the year, rarely venturing far south. It is an incredibly resilient species, possessing remarkable adaptations that allow it to thrive where few other birds can survive. Known as a scavenger of the frozen north, the Ivory Gull is famously seen trailing polar bears across the endless ice fields. It feeds opportunistically on seal carcasses, fish, and marine invertebrates. Sadly, this elegant 'ghost of the Arctic' faces significant threats from climate change and melting sea ice, making it an important indicator species for the health of our polar ecosystems. Learn to recognize Ivory Gull in the wild using the Snappit field guide app.

Habitat: Typically found in the extreme High Arctic, nesting on remote nunataks, gravel cliffs, and rocky islands, while foraging primarily along the edges of pack ice.

Appearance

Adult Ivory Gulls are entirely pristine white, lacking the grey or black markings typical of other gull species. They have a compact, pigeon-like profile with a relatively small head, short black legs, and dark, large-looking eyes. Their bill is distinctive, showing a slate-blue color at the base that transitions to a yellow or orange tip. Juveniles have a speckled appearance, covered with delicate black spots on their face, wings, and tail, which gradually fade over their first two years. Adults measure about 40 to 45 centimeters in length with a broad, powerful wingspan of roughly 110 centimeters, enabling agile flight in strong polar winds.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderCharadriiformesFamilyLaridaeGenusPagophila

Ivory Gull

Interesting facts

Because they feed at the top of the Arctic food web via scavenging, they accumulate some of the highest concentrations of mercury and organochlorines of any Arctic bird.

Ivory Gulls often nest on nunataks, which are isolated mountain peaks that project through the surface of glaciers and ice sheets.

They avoid swimming in open water whenever possible, preferring to land on ice floes, frozen ground, or carcasses instead of resting on the ocean surface.

Unlike almost all other gulls, adult Ivory Gulls are entirely pure white, with absolutely no grey, brown, or black feathers on their wings or back.

Special abilities

They possess an exceptionally dense layer of down feathers and specialized blood circulation in their legs to prevent heat loss in freezing Arctic temperatures.

Their pure white plumage provides perfect camouflage against the snow and ice, hiding them from aerial predators like gyrfalcons.

They have developed highly keen eyesight and a superb sense of navigation to locate marine mammal carcasses across vast, featureless ice fields.

Measurements & details

Length: 40+ cm
Wingspan: 100+ cm
Weight: 0.45+ kg
Lifespan: 15+ years
Top Speed: 60 km/h
Clutch Size: 1+
Incubation: 24+ days
Migration Distance: 3000 km

Diet & Feeding

The Ivory Gull is an opportunistic carnivore and scavenger, consuming fish, marine invertebrates, and the remains of animals left behind by apex predators.

Age differences: Chicks are fed primarily small fish and marine invertebrates by parents, transitioning to a more opportunistic scavenger diet as they mature.

Primary Foods

Polar Cod
Amphipods
Seal carrion
Whale blubber
Lanternfish

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

competitor

Polar Bear

Ursus maritimus

Following the apex predator to scavenge leftovers from seal kills.

eaten by

Arctic Fox

Vulpes lagopus

Preys upon eggs and chicks in nesting colonies.

hunts

Polar Cod

Boreogadus saida

Actively hunted by the Ivory Gull as a primary marine food source.

Traits

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Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

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Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

No special safety notes yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Ivory Gull?

The easiest way to identify Ivory Gull is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How long is Ivory Gull?

40+ cm

What is Ivory Gull's wingspan?

100+ cm

How much does Ivory Gull weigh?

0.45+ kg

How long does Ivory Gull live?

15+ years

How fast can Ivory Gull move?

60 km/h

What does Ivory Gull eat?

The Ivory Gull is an opportunistic carnivore and scavenger, consuming fish, marine invertebrates, and the remains of animals left behind by apex predators.

Where is Ivory Gull usually found?

Typically found in the extreme High Arctic, nesting on remote nunataks, gravel cliffs, and rocky islands, while foraging primarily along the edges of pack ice.