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Story: Bird migration

Black-billed gulls and chick

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Black-billed gulls and chick

The black-billed gull breeds mainly on South Island braided river beds and adjacent farmland. Recently, some North Island coastal and riverbed colonies have become established. The population of this endemic species (found only in New Zealand) is in serious decline.

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Department of Conservation

Reference: 10050062

by Dave Murray

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How to cite this page

Christina Troup, Bird migration – Migration within New Zealand, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/7234/black-billed-gulls-and-chick (accessed 10 June 2026).

Story by Christina Troup, published 2 March 2009.