Black billed gull: Birds Image Stock https://www.birdsimagestock.com/p517987698 The Black-billed Gull (Chroicocephalus bulleri), also known as the tarāpuka or Buller's gull, is a rare, delicate seabird endemic to New Zealand. It is considered one of the most threatened gull species globally. While they can live to a staggering 40 years old, severe habitat loss and predation by introduced mammals have caused their population to plummet. Their legs and orbital eye-rings transform from dark to bright red as the breeding season progresses, a change believed to be stimulated by the presence of begging chicks. From February to June, the ring around their eyes is black, but it transitions to a bright orange-red or dark red for the rest of the year. Most birds breed on large, gravelly braided riverbeds, but a small number breed on the North Island - including around Rotorua. en-us (C) BirdsImageStock birdsimagestock@gmail.com (Birds Image Stock) Fri, 18 Sep 2026 08:48:25 GMT Fri, 18 Sep 2026 08:55:43 GMT Birds Animals https://www.birdsimagestock.com/img/s/v-10/p1630316684-10.jpg Black billed gull: Birds Image Stock https://www.birdsimagestock.com/p517987698 120 95 Black billed gull https://www.birdsimagestock.com/p517987698/e612CA88C

]]>The Black billed gull in Napier, New Zealand - it is one of the most threatened gull species globally.

]]> birdsimagestock@gmail.com (Birds Image Stock) Birds Animals Black billed gull https://www.birdsimagestock.com/p517987698/e612CA88C Fri, 18 Sep 2026 08:50:31 GMT Black billed gull https://www.birdsimagestock.com/p517987698/e66545E0B

]]>The Black billed gull in Napier, New Zealand - it is one of the most threatened gull species globally.

]]> birdsimagestock@gmail.com (Birds Image Stock) Birds Animals Black billed gull https://www.birdsimagestock.com/p517987698/e66545E0B Fri, 18 Sep 2026 08:50:27 GMT Black billed gull https://www.birdsimagestock.com/p517987698/e6428E52B

]]>The Black billed gull in Napier, New Zealand - it is one of the most threatened gull species globally.

]]> birdsimagestock@gmail.com (Birds Image Stock) Birds Animals Black billed gull https://www.birdsimagestock.com/p517987698/e6428E52B Fri, 18 Sep 2026 08:50:32 GMT Black billed gull https://www.birdsimagestock.com/p517987698/e6211F5C3

]]>The Black billed gull in Napier, New Zealand - it is one of the most threatened gull species globally.

]]> birdsimagestock@gmail.com (Birds Image Stock) Birds Animals Black billed gull https://www.birdsimagestock.com/p517987698/e6211F5C3 Fri, 18 Sep 2026 08:50:18 GMT Black billed gull https://www.birdsimagestock.com/p517987698/e68474F70

]]>The Black billed gull in Napier, New Zealand - it is one of the most threatened gull species globally.

]]> birdsimagestock@gmail.com (Birds Image Stock) Birds Animals Black billed gull https://www.birdsimagestock.com/p517987698/e68474F70 Fri, 18 Sep 2026 08:50:27 GMT Black billed gull https://www.birdsimagestock.com/p517987698/e6020B18F

]]>The Black billed gull in Napier, New Zealand - it is one of the most threatened gull species globally.

]]> birdsimagestock@gmail.com (Birds Image Stock) Birds Animals Black billed gull https://www.birdsimagestock.com/p517987698/e6020B18F Fri, 18 Sep 2026 08:50:24 GMT Black billed gull https://www.birdsimagestock.com/p517987698/e6831856A

]]>The Black billed gull in Napier, New Zealand - it is one of the most threatened gull species globally.

]]> birdsimagestock@gmail.com (Birds Image Stock) Birds Animals Black billed gull https://www.birdsimagestock.com/p517987698/e6831856A Fri, 18 Sep 2026 08:50:14 GMT