Lava Gull in Galápagos: Facts and Where to See It

The lava gull belongs to the hooded gulls. Adults have a sooty brown to black head, dark grey wings with a white leading edge, a pale grey belly, a white upper tail, black bill and legs, white marks above and below the eye, and a scarlet inside to the mouth.

• Alone, not in colonies. Unlike most gulls, lava gulls nest alone, rarely less than 100 metres apart, and defend a territory of about 2,000 square metres.
• Olive eggs. They usually lay two olive-coloured eggs on the ground under coastal plants.
• Anything goes. They steal from nests and fishermen, eat newly hatched iguanas, turtles and lizards, and feed on sea lion placentas.

Lava gulls are found mainly on four islands, Santa Cruz, Genovesa, San Cristóbal and Isabela, though they turn up across the archipelago. They are often near towns and in harbours, scavenging for food, so the harbour is worth a look before boarding.

With only a few hundred birds spread over many islands, no visitor site is a sure bet. The guide sighting records rate lava gulls Rare everywhere and note them mostly around harbours. Of the 2 sites listed by name, both are rated Rare: Darwin Bay on Genovesa and Mosquera Islet.

Although there are few of them, lava gulls can be seen all year round. In the next twelve months, 444 departures stop at a site where they are recorded.

It is listed as Vulnerable. With 300 to 600 birds, the population is tiny. Owls, frigatebirds, other lava gulls and introduced mammals prey on them, and plastic in the sea is being studied as a further risk. Park rules forbid feeding wildlife, which matters for a bird that scavenges in harbours.

1. Overlooking it in town. The harbour is one of the likeliest places to see one.
2. Feeding it. Park rules forbid feeding wildlife.
3. Confusing it with young gulls of other species. Look for the white line on the leading edge of the wing.