Swallow-tailed Gull
EN

Swallow-tailed Gull

Creagrus furcatus

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swallow-tailed_gull

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The Swallow-tailed Gull faces severe threats from introduced predators on its breeding islands, particularly cats, rats, and dogs that prey on eggs, chicks, and adults. Climate change poses an additional risk through altered ocean currents and prey availability, as the species depends on specific marine conditions for foraging. Human disturbance at nesting colonies and coastal development on inhabited islands further compound population pressures.

Threat summary

Habitat

The Swallow-tailed Gull breeds exclusively on rocky cliffs and lava ledges of the Galápagos Islands, nesting in small colonies on precipitous coastal areas. Outside the breeding season, it ranges widely across the eastern Pacific Ocean, foraging in pelagic waters from Ecuador to northern Chile.

MARINE· majorTERRESTRIAL· major

Other threatened species in Laridae

Greater Black-backed GullVU

Greater Black-backed Gull

Larus marinus

Unknown
Scandinavian Lesser Black-backed GullVU

Scandinavian Lesser Black-backed Gull

Larus fuscus

Unknown
Little GullCR

Little Gull

Hydrocoloeus minutus

Unknown
Olrog's GullEN

Olrog's Gull

Larus atlanticus

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Swallow-tailed Gull classified as Endangered?
Swallow-tailed Gull is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. The Swallow-tailed Gull faces severe threats from introduced predators on its breeding islands, particularly cats, rats, and dogs that prey on eggs, chicks, and adults. Climate change poses an additional risk through altered ocean currents and prey availability, as the species depends on specific marine conditions for foraging. Human disturbance at nesting colonies and coastal development on inhabited islands further compound population pressures.
Where does Swallow-tailed Gull live?
Swallow-tailed Gull occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Swallow-tailed Gull?
The main threats to Swallow-tailed Gull are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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