Southern black-backed gull

Seen all year around the bays, from Mansion House to Vivian Bay and North Cove, and quick to trail boats when fish are being cleaned.

Story

This is the only large gull in New Zealand and one of our most abundant birds, with hundreds of colonies around the country. Numbers have boomed on scraps from landfills, farms and fishing, and it's one of only two native birds given no protection under the Wildlife Act.

Behaviour

Karoro are both hunters and scavengers, taking fish, invertebrates, and other birds' eggs and chicks, and picking over whatever washes up on the tide. Flocks follow inshore fishing boats for offal, and nesting pairs see off intruders with loud 'ee-ah-ha-ha-ha' calls.