ExploreBirds

Ross's Gull

Rhodostethia rosea

Ross's Gull is a beautiful bird with a pinkish body and a black cap on its head. It loves to live near icy waters and is known for its graceful flying.

Habitat: Coastal areas

Appearance

The Ross's Gull is a small, elegant bird distinguished by its delicate, pale rose-pink blush on its underparts. It has a small head, a short, dark bill, and a unique wedge-shaped tail. Its back and upperwings are light grey, contrasting with a thin black neck collar in breeding plumage.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderCharadriiformesFamilyLaridaeGenusRhodostethia
Ross's Gull
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Ross's Gull

Category

Birds

Rarity

Rare

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

It nests on the ground in the most remote parts of the Arctic tundra!

Its call is a soft 'kew-kew,' much quieter than most other gulls!

Sometimes, it flies low over cracks in sea ice to find tiny snacks.

This gull's exact migration path was a mystery for a very long time.

Special abilities

Ability

Arctic Navigator

Ross's Gull has incredible navigation skills that help it find remote breeding grounds and survive vast Arctic journeys.

Ability

Icy Water Forager

Ross's Gull can gracefully hover and pluck small prey from the surface of freezing Arctic waters, helping them hunt.

Ability

Wedge-Tail Steering

Ross's Gull has a unique wedge-shaped tail that helps it steer quickly, allowing for agile flight through arctic winds.

Measurements & details

Length
29-32 cm
Wingspan
73-84 cm
Weight
0.14-0.22 kg
Lifespan
8-15 years
Top Speed
50 km/h
Clutch Size
2-3
Incubation
20-22 days
Migration Distance
5000 km

Diet & Feeding

This dainty gull mainly eats small ocean creatures and tiny fish found in icy Arctic waters.

Primary Foods

  • Arctic Cod
  • Copepods
  • Amphipods
  • Larval insects
  • Small crustaceans

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

hunts

Arctic Cod

Boreogadus saida

Main food source in icy waters.

hunts

Copepod

Calanus finmarchicus

Feeds on tiny zooplankton.

eaten by

Arctic Fox

Vulpes lagopus

Arctic foxes sometimes raid nests.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always watch birds from a distance and do not try to touch them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Ross's Gull?

The easiest way to identify Ross's Gull is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How long is Ross's Gull?

29-32 cm

What is Ross's Gull's wingspan?

73-84 cm

How much does Ross's Gull weigh?

0.14-0.22 kg

How long does Ross's Gull live?

8-15 years

How fast can Ross's Gull move?

50 km/h

What does Ross's Gull eat?

This dainty gull mainly eats small ocean creatures and tiny fish found in icy Arctic waters.

Where is Ross's Gull usually found?

Coastal areas

Snap Map

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