The relict gull, also known as the Central Asian gull (Ichthyaetus relictus), is a medium-sized bird. It was once thought to be an eastern race of the Mediterranean gull until 1971 and was originally grouped in the genus Larus.
Description
The gull is 44 to 45 cm long and has a strong, thick body. Non-breeding adults have dark-colored feathers around the ears and the back of the head, white tips on their wings, black markings near the tips of the outer wing feathers, and no white edge on the outer part of the wing. Breeding birds have black hoods that include the back of the head, with grey-brown color on the forehead and white, half-moon shaped markings around the eyes. Their legs are orange, and their beaks are scarlet. The name comes from its status as a relict species.
Distribution and habitat
The gull breeds in several places in Mongolia, such as Galuut Lake, Khukh Lake, and Chukh Lake. It also breeds in two locations in Kazakhstan, one in Russia, and one in China (Lake Hongjiannao). Some gulls travel to South Korea during the nonbreeding season. There is some evidence that more gulls may travel to eastern China, but this is not confirmed.
Gulls begin breeding in early June and continue until early August. They nest in groups on islands in saltwater lakes. These nesting areas are delicate. Gulls do not nest if lakes dry up or if water levels are too high. They also avoid nesting when islands are too small, too covered with plants, or too large that they connect to the shore. During nonbreeding times, the birds are found on muddy and sandy areas near the coast.
Status and conservation
The population is estimated to be 10,000 or fewer, and the number is decreasing. This species is listed as "vulnerable" on the IUCN Red List. Its main threats include changes in water levels of breeding lakes, predation by other gulls, hailstorms, and flooding. Human activity has made the birds more vulnerable to these dangers, increasing risks for adult gulls and causing higher death rates for chicks and eggs. The birds also face difficulty migrating to breeding areas because there are not enough suitable stopover locations. To help protect them, nature reserves have been created in Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and Russia, such as the Mongol Daguur region.