Lava Gull vs Andean Gull
Larus fuliginosus compared with Larus serranus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Lava Gull | Andean Gull |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Larus fuliginosus | Larus serranus |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 68.2 cm (26.9 in) | 70.6 cm (27.8 in) |
| Weight | 380.0 g (13.40 oz) | 478.0 g (16.86 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-2 | 1-4 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Vulnerable
Lava Gull
Least Concern
Andean Gull
About These Birds
Lava Gull
Lava Gull, 52–55 cm, is the world's rarest gull — only ~800–1,000 individuals exist, all on the Galápagos Islands. Sooty grey overall, white eyelids, red bill and feet. Scavenges at fishing ports and seal colonies; omnivore. Restricted range makes it highly vulnerable to any environmental change.
Andean Gull
Andean Gull, 45–48 cm, breeds at high-altitude Andean lakes from Colombia to Argentina, typically above 3000 m. Black hood in breeding plumage; white below with grey mantle. Largely insectivore, following cattle or foraging at lake edges. Partial altitudinal migrant descending to Pacific and Atlantic coasts in winter.