Black Backed Gull (Karoro)
Last Modified: 15-3-2019 14:22
© Christopher Cookson License this image
The Black backed gull or Karoro is New Zealand's largest gull species, found throughout the country from coastal to sub-alpine habitats where there is no forest cover.
Juveniles are a mottled brown colour, while adults have the eponymous black stripe spanning the top of their wings, with a white body.
Black backed gulls are both predators and scavengers, and are often associated with rubbish tips or offal pits, although they are also capable fishers.
Black backed gulls can be found throughout Marlborough.
The examples pictures were observed near the mouth of the Wairau Diversion at Rarangi.
Image Date: 28/10/2018
Photographer: Christopher Cookson
Location: Latitude: -41.437557 Longitude: 174.031799