The least common gull in Aotearoa New Zealand is the Tarāpuka (Black-billed Gull, Larus bulleri). While the young of the similar Tarāpunga (Red-billed Gull) have black legs and bill, the white eye of this bird clearly distinguishes it as an adult Tarāpuka.
This one was sitting calmly on the end of the wharf at Lake Rotoiti, Nelson Lakes National Park.
Leave a Reply