The Sabine’s Gull (Xema sabini) is a small and striking seabird from the family Laridae, named after the Irish scientist Sir Edward Sabine who first described the species in 1818. It is known for its distinctive appearance, unique wing pattern, and remarkable migratory behaviour. This gull breeds in the high Arctic and spends the winter months in tropical and subtropical waters.

Physical Description

Size: The Sabine’s Gull measures between 27 and 33 centimetres in length, with a wingspan ranging from 81 to 87 centimetres. It typically weighs between 135 and 225 grams, with males and females being similar in size.
Plumage:

• Breeding Adults: The breeding adult has a distinctive slate-grey hood that is bordered by a thin black line. The rest of the underparts are white, and the back is a pale grey. The wings are characterised by a unique tricoloured pattern: black primary feathers, white secondaries, and pale grey coverts. The tail is white and slightly forked.
• Non-breeding Adults: During the non-breeding season, the grey hood is replaced by white plumage with subtle grey mottling on the head, giving a more subdued appearance.
• Juveniles: Juvenile Sabine’s Gulls have a brownish-grey upperpart with pale fringes that give a scaly appearance. They also have a black terminal band on the tail, which gradually fades as they mature.
  Bill and Legs: The bill is slender and black with a yellow tip, a feature that distinguishes the species from other gulls. The legs are black, adding to the elegant look of the bird.
  Flight: The Sabine’s Gull has a graceful and buoyant flight, often seen gliding over the water with rapid wingbeats. The distinctive wing pattern makes it easily identifiable in flight.

Habitat and Distribution

Breeding Range: Sabine’s Gulls breed in the high Arctic regions, including areas of North America, Greenland, and Siberia. They prefer tundra landscapes near freshwater ponds, marshes, and coastal areas where they can nest and forage.
Migration and Wintering: The species is a long-distance migrant, travelling to tropical and subtropical waters in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans for the winter. They are often found off the coasts of West Africa, South America, and along the upwelling zones where they feed on abundant marine resources. During migration, Sabine’s Gulls are often seen along coastal regions and offshore waters.

Behaviour

Diet: The diet of the Sabine’s Gull consists primarily of small fish, crustaceans, and insects. During the breeding season, they forage in freshwater habitats, feeding on insects and larvae. In the winter, they feed at sea, often associating with other seabirds to locate fish and plankton.
Foraging: At sea, Sabine’s Gulls are agile and adept at catching prey near the water’s surface. They use a variety of techniques, including hovering and dipping, to capture small fish and other marine organisms. During the breeding season, they feed along the edges of ponds and wetlands, picking insects from the water’s surface.
Vocalisations: The species has a high-pitched, squeaky call, which is often heard during the breeding season. The vocalisations are used to communicate with mates, ward off predators, and signal alarm.

Social Structure

Breeding Behaviour: Sabine’s Gulls are monogamous and nest in loose colonies in the Arctic tundra. The nest is a simple depression in the ground, lined with grass and moss. They prefer nesting sites near water, often in areas with sparse vegetation.
Nesting: The female typically lays two to three olive-brown eggs, which are spotted with dark markings for camouflage. Both parents share the responsibility of incubating the eggs, which hatch after about 23 to 25 days.
Chick Development: The chicks are precocial and leave the nest shortly after hatching. They are able to feed themselves but remain under the protection of their parents until they are capable of flight, usually within four weeks. The parents are highly protective and use distraction displays to lure predators away from the nest.

Migration

Resident and Migratory Behaviour: Sabine’s Gulls are highly migratory, with some of the longest migratory routes among gull species. They travel thousands of kilometres between their Arctic breeding grounds and their wintering areas in tropical oceans. The migration is typically undertaken in flocks, and the birds are often observed following oceanic currents rich in marine life.

Conservation Status

The Sabine’s Gull is currently listed as “Least Concern” by the IUCN, with an estimated global population of around 340,000 mature individuals. However, climate change, habitat degradation in the Arctic, and pollution of marine ecosystems pose potential threats to the species. Conservation efforts focus on monitoring population trends and protecting important breeding and wintering habitats.

Similar Species

• Black-legged Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla): The Black-legged Kittiwake is similar in size but has a more uniformly grey upperpart and lacks the distinctive wing pattern of the Sabine’s Gull. The Kittiwake also has a straight, all-yellow bill.
• Little Gull (Hydrocoloeus minutus): The Little Gull is much smaller, with a rounded head and a short, dark bill. It also lacks the striking tricoloured wing pattern of the Sabine’s Gull.

Importance and Ecological Role

Sabine’s Gulls play an important role in both Arctic and marine ecosystems. They help control insect populations in their breeding habitats and are an integral part of the food web in oceanic environments, feeding on small fish and crustaceans. Their presence in the Arctic is also an indicator of the health of tundra ecosystems.

Conclusion

The Sabine’s Gull (Xema sabini) is a unique and beautifully patterned seabird, renowned for its striking wing markings and long migratory journeys. While it is currently not considered at risk, the species is sensitive to changes in its Arctic breeding grounds and oceanic feeding areas. Protecting these habitats and understanding the impact of environmental changes are crucial to ensuring the future of this remarkable bird. With its elegant flight and distinctive calls, the Sabine’s Gull continues to captivate birdwatchers and researchers around the world.

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