Sabine's
GullSabine's Gull -- South Dakota Birds
| Length: 14 inches | Wingspan: 32-36 inches | Seasonality: Very Rare Migrant |
| ID Keys: Striking wing pattern in flight of black outerprimaries and white inner primaries and secondaries | ||
Sabine's
Gull
Xema sabini
Sabine's Gulls are small gulls normally found in the high Arctic in summer, and off the continental shelf in the Southern Hemisphere in the winter. After breeding season, they spend the vast majority of their time at sea, and are only rarely seen from shore. However, in the fall a few birds (primarily immatures) might be found far inland, such as the young bird at the right which was photographed on the Missouri River in Pierre in September 2003.
Habitat: Summer breeding grounds are on the low marshy Arctic Tundra near the coastline. In migration and in winter, they prefer to stay a several miles offshore over the continental shelf where upwelling of cold water occurs. Only rarely are migrants found inland.
Diet: Primarily feeds on insects and aquatic insect larvae during the summer breeding season. Also will feed on small crustaceans, mollusks, small fish, and marine worms in all seasons.
Breeding: Non-breeder in South Dakota
Song: High pitched squeaking notes.
Migrations: Summers in the high Arctic. Winters in the Southern Hemisphere off the coast of western South America and South Africa.
Similar Species: Bonaparte's Gull, Franklin's Gull. See Identification Tips for distinguishing between "black-hooded" (summer plumage) gulls.
Status: Due to its remote breeding grounds and tendency to migrate far out to sea, they are usually far removed from human disturbance. Populations are generally stable.
South Dakota "Hotspot": The best spots to try and locate them during migration is probably near the Missouri River dams.
Further Information: 1)
USGS
Patuxent
Bird Identification InfoCenter, Sabine's Gull
2) Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Sabine's Gull
Photo Information: September 21st, 2003 -- Missouri River in Pierre -- Doug Backlund
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This page was last edited on 02/03/08