The Distribution of gull Larus species on the Red Sea coast of Sudan

Abstract

We present information on the status of gull species on the Red Sea coast of Sudan on the basis of observations made during a ten day visit to the region in January 2010. Seven gull taxa were recorded in this time. Sooty Larus hemprichii, Slender-billed L. genei, and Pallas’s L. ichthyaetus Gulls were all widespread along the coast, with Sooty Gull being the most abundant species encountered. Our sightings confirmed Pallas’s Gull as a winter visitor to this coast, and showed that Slender-billed Gull is widespread here. White-eyed L. leucophthalmus, Steppe L. (cachinnans) barabensis, Baltic L. fuscus fuscus, and Black-headed L. ridibundus Gulls were also encountered, but only around the harbours of Port Sudan and Suakin.