The Antarctic continent presents a formidable environment of extreme cold, expansive ice, and powerful winds. Despite these challenging conditions, it supports a surprising array of life, including various bird species. A common question arises regarding the presence of “seagulls” in this icy realm, prompting curiosity about how any bird endures such a harsh climate. Antarctica’s avian inhabitants include a diverse and resilient community, with certain gull species making this remote region their home.
Presence of Gulls in Antarctica
Specific gull species inhabit the Antarctic region, dispelling the common misconception that “seagulls” are absent. The Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus) is the sole gull species regularly found across the Southern Oceans, including the Antarctic Peninsula and its sub-Antarctic islands. These birds are a common sight along coastal areas. They are identifiable by their approximately 60 cm length and 1.4-meter wingspan, featuring black or dark gray wings and back contrasting with bright white plumage. Their yellow bills, marked by a distinct orange spot, further aid identification.
Kelp Gulls are broadly distributed in subantarctic and subtropical regions, even where sea surface temperatures drop to 0°C. They are widespread across southern continents like South America, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, but their Antarctic presence concentrates along coastlines and islands. They adapt to various coastal environments, from beaches and rocky shores to human-influenced harbors. One subspecies, L. d. austrinus, specifically resides in Antarctica.
Adaptations for Extreme Survival
Kelp Gulls exhibit biological and behavioral adaptations for survival in the challenging Antarctic environment. Their opportunistic and omnivorous diet allows them to exploit various food sources. In Antarctica, they often feed on limpets collected from rocks during low tide, and scavenge around other bird colonies for unattended chicks or carrion. Their diet also includes molluscs, fish, and crustaceans.
These gulls possess strong bills, assisting them in tearing through diverse food items. They drop molluscs from a height onto rocks to break them open, demonstrating a learned foraging technique. Breeding occurs in colonies, with nests constructed on beaches, rocky outcrops, or offshore islets. They lay two to four eggs between November and December in the subantarctic, with incubation periods lasting 23 to 30 days. Both parents incubate eggs and feed young, which fledge after 45 to 61 days.
Beyond Gulls: Other Antarctic Seabirds
Beyond gulls, Antarctica hosts a variety of other seabirds, each uniquely suited to the polar conditions. Skuas, such as the Brown Skua and South Polar Skua, are prominent avian predators in the region. They are known for aggressive foraging, including stealing food from other seabirds and preying on penguin eggs and chicks. The South Polar Skua breeds on the continental Antarctic landmass and has been sighted far inland, even near the South Pole.
Petrels are another diverse group of Antarctic seabirds, encompassing species like the Antarctic Petrel, Snow Petrel, and various Giant Petrels. The Antarctic Petrel, with its dark brown and white plumage, is commonly found in the Ross and Weddell Seas, feeding on krill, fish, and small squid. Snow Petrels are notable for their pure white appearance and their ability to nest in remote, ice-free rocky peaks and cliff faces, sometimes far inland.
Antarctic Terns also contribute to the continent’s avian biodiversity. These medium-sized seabirds range throughout the southern oceans and can be found on small islands and the Antarctic mainland. Their diet primarily consists of small fish and crustaceans. Antarctic Terns do not undertake extensive transcontinental migrations, remaining within their local ranges in the southern oceans and the Antarctic Peninsula.