Larus ichthyaetus

Great black-headed gull

Taxonomy
Phylum Chordates (Chordata)
Class Birds (Aves)
Order  (Charadriiformes)
Family  (Laridae)
Genus  (Larus)
Species Authority Pallas, 1733
Information
Summary Status: vulnerable (Category II), rarely seen, with only a few surviving colonies whose numbers are rapidly dwindling. The great black-headed gull nests in many separate locations from the northern Black Sea to southern Siberia. In Kazakstan, the biggest colonies are found on Caspian Sea islands, on Lake Balkhash and Lake Alakol. Scattered groups are also found in the Karaganda and West Kazakstan Regions. The approximate overall population is estimated at 40,000 individuals of which only about 4,000 are found in Kazakstan. The population of great black-headed gulls and other resident bird species is rapidly decreasing. Therefore, to protect these diminishing species, the Lake Alakol Preserve should be created. In addition, a reserve should be set up to protect all nesting sites on islands in Lake Balkhash.

If you have comments, remarks, or any other information you would like to see on the site please send them to webmaster.