Belcher's Gull

Overview
Belcher's Gull: Formerly known as the Band-tailed Gull. Has a mostly white body with black back, distinctive black tail band, yellow legs, feet. Black wings with white trailing edges. Yellow bill; lower mandible tipped with red, upper mandible tipped with black. Strong direct flight.

Range and Habitat
Belcher's Gull: Native to Chile and Peru, accidental in Florida and California. Prefers rocky or sandy seashore, shallow coastal habitats, tidal flats, mudflats and open sea.

INTERESTING FACTS
The name of this bird commemorates the British explorer Sir Edward Belcher. Throughout the guano islands of Peru, Belcher's Gull is regarded as the most serious enemy of guano-producing birds. In most guano-islands, guardians are encouraged to shoot the gulls in order to reduce the population. A group of gulls has many collective nouns, including a "flotilla", "gullery", "screech", "scavenging", and "squabble" of gulls.