Measurements
Both Sexes
- Length
- 11.4–12.2 in
29–31 cm - Wingspan
- 35.4–39.4 in
90–100 cm - Weight
- 4.9–8.8 oz
140–250 g
Other Names
- Mouette rosée (French)
- (Spanish)
Cool Facts
- During the summer the Ross's Gull eats primarily insects, especially beetles and flies. Some gulls were observed eating algae beneath ice floes.
Habitat
Marsh
Nests in high Arctic marshy tundra and deltas with low willows. Winters along pack ice.
Food
Insects
Insects, marine invertebrates, and small fish.
Nesting
Nest Description
Placed on wet spot near open water.
Nest Placement
Ground
Behavior
Dabbler
Takes food from or just below surface of water or ice.
Conservation
Least Concern
Little information. Remote breeding and wintering areas make assessment of population trends difficult.