Ivory Gull

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Ivory Gull in the UK

A very rare vagrant, in Category A of the British List. The first was shot at Balta Sound, Unst, Shetland, in December 1822. There were 123 records to the end of 2000, but only 47 of those came after 1958, and it is now far from annual. The winter of 2001 to 2002 brought four, an unusually good showing. One of the best-watched recent birds was a young one at Patrington Haven, East Yorkshire, from 15 to 25 December 2013. It breeds in the High Arctic and normally winters at the edge of the pack ice.

Where and when to see an Ivory Gull

December to February is the main window. Shetland, Orkney and northern Scotland have the most records, followed by the east coast, but birds have reached Wales and the south coast of England too. Check harbours, fish quays and beaches, above all where a dead seal, porpoise or whale has washed up. Birds are often tame and may stay for days at a carcass. Northerly gales help. News goes out on the bird news services and a settled bird draws a large twitch.

Habitat, diet and field notes

Habitat: Arctic seas (very rare).
Diet: Carrion.
Field note: All white; Arctic.

How to identify an Ivory Gull

About the size of a Common Gull but plumper, with a rounded head, dark eye and short black legs that give it a pigeon-like look on the ground. The adult is pure white all over, with a grey-blue bill tipped yellow. First-winter birds, which make up many British records, are white with a dirty dark face, black spots on the wings and back, and black tips to the flight and tail feathers. Flight is light and buoyant. No other gull is entirely white with black legs.

Call and song

Usually silent in Britain. In the Arctic it gives a harsh, tern-like 'kree-ar', mostly around colonies and when squabbling over food. Heard something you cannot place? Bird Hear identifies UK birds from a 10 second recording, free in your browser.

Confusion species

• Iceland Gull: Iceland Gull is larger and longer-winged, with pink legs and a pale biscuit or pale grey tone, never pure white with black spots.
• Glaucous Gull: Glaucous Gull is far bigger with a heavy pink-based bill and pink legs.
• Leucistic or albino gull: An all-white common gull species keeps its own shape, and usually has pale or pinkish legs and bill, not short black legs.

Related guide Rare birds in the UK.

Conservation status and Birdedex points

In the Birdedex the Ivory Gull is a Legendary tier bird, worth +50 points when you log one. It is not on the Red or Amber lists in Birds of Conservation Concern 5.

Recent UK sightings

Similar birds

• Ross's GullEpic · Arctic seas (very rare)
• Pacific DiverLegendary · Coastal seas (very rare)
• Steller's EiderLegendary · Coastal seas (very rare)
• Common Scoter (eastern)Epic · Coastal seas (very rare)
• King EiderEpic · Coastal seas (very rare)
• Allen's GallinuleLegendary · Marshes (very rare)

Ivory Gull: quick answers

Has an Ivory Gull ever been seen in the UK?

Yes, more than 120 times, but most records are old. Since the late 1950s it has averaged about one a year, with long gaps. Birds have been found from Shetland to Cornwall.

What does an Ivory Gull eat?

In the Arctic it scavenges at seal and whale carcasses, including the remains of Polar Bear kills, and catches small fish and crustaceans at the ice edge. In Britain almost every long-stayer has been feeding on a dead sea mammal or fish waste.

Is the Ivory Gull rare in the UK?

Yes. Several years can pass without one. It is also Near Threatened worldwide, so arrivals are unlikely to become more frequent.

Kit that helps

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