When camping at Bunga Arm over New Year, a large brownish bird was seen cruising over the dunes each day.
It was an immature Pacific Gull, the largest gull in Australia. The plumage changes significantly as it grows from juvenile to adult over a five-year period. At five years of age, adults are black-backed, with a massive yellow and red-tipped bill (looks like lipstick), black upper wings with a narrow white inner, yellow legs and a distinctive black band across the tail.
Juveniles are mottled dark brown with pale face, with a pinkish, black-tipped bill and brown legs. Adult plumage is achieved by numerous moults.
The Pacific Gull is endemic to southern Australia and occurs mostly on south and west coasts, Tasmania and infrequently on the east coast.
Patrolling these coastal seas and shorelines in a heavy, lumbering flight interspersed with glides. Adults are mainly sedentary while the young will travel up to 200 kilometres.
Preferred habitat are sandy beaches protected from ocean swells such as estuaries, bays and harbours. They do not fly far inland but may occasionally be seen on farmland and rubbish tips near the ocean, or a short way up rivers. Often seen roosting or loafing in elevated situations such as rocky headlands or on wharf and jetty infrastructure.
The Pacific Gull forages along the coast between the high-water mark and shallow water on sandy beaches, feeding mainly on molluscs, fish, squid, crabs and other marine animals that are sometimes caught by plunge-diving.
They also feed on offal and carrion, as well as predating on other bird eggs and their young and are regularly seen breaking open shells by dropping them from a height.
Breeding occurs from September to January in small, scattered colonies or isolated pairs on high points on headlands or islands.
Two types of nests are built: one a scrape or depression in the ground, either unlined or lined with small stones or gravel, the other is a neatly constructed shallow bowl made of sticks, grass, seaweed or feathers.
Both sexes build the nest with the female doing most of the incubation while the male forages for food and stands guard near the nest. A clutch of three eggs is usual.
The Pacific Gull is easily disturbed by human activities at breeding sites and roosting areas, and occasionally become entangled in fishing lines.
But they will scavenge on human refuse at rubbish tips and picnic areas and on fish scraps around wharves and jetties.
