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In the end, everything is a gag.


Larus dominicanus is nibbling on something. Opossum Bay, December 2010.

Larus dominicanus – A.K.A. the Kelp Gull – is a large black-backed gull with a white tail and a large yellow bill with a red spot on the lower tip. Alas, It is only the second largest (or should that be the first smallest?) gull in Australia. The wing has a wide trailing edge and a small white 'window' in the wingtip. This is how I tell ‘em apart from the bigger and friskier Pacific Gull.

In terms of tucker, the Kelp Gull takes what it can get on both land and water, but rarely in the air. It feeds mainly on fish and crustaceans, but will scavenge when it gets a chance. I understand that they have a predilection for pommes frites, Schwartenmagen and 1945-vintage Chateau Mouton-Rothschild Jeroboam.

If it cannot get that dish, it gets anxious. Indeed, Kelp Gulls have been observed feeding on living Southern Right Whales. In desperation, it will plunge its mighty beak to peck down inches into the skin and blubber, often leaving the whales with large open sores, up to half a meter in diameter! Ouch.

The BBC has more…
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Comments

Carola said…
Brilliant shot.
18 January 2011 at 09:05
Kris McCracken said…
The bird did all the work.
18 January 2011 at 11:31
Anonymous said…
You're kidding with the whale thing! That's nasty!
I'm sure there's many a whale thinking "That aint what God gave you a beak for sonny!".
18 January 2011 at 15:35
Kris McCracken said…
As I said, the BBC has it all on film!

The natural world is a wonderous place...

:D
18 January 2011 at 15:41
Roddy said…
New take on sushi on the go.
18 January 2011 at 17:14
Kris McCracken said…
Very chewey I bet...
19 January 2011 at 11:49
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