The Cape gull (Larus dominicanus vetula) is a Southern African subspecies of the kelp gull, characterized by its dark eye, smaller bill, and angular head compared to other subspecies. These 54–65 cm long, sedentary birds are common along the South African coastline, known for dropping shellfish on rocks to break them and, in some cases, attacking seal pups and living whales.
Appearance: Adults feature a white head and body, black-mantled back/wings with white trailing edges, yellow legs (greener in Africa), and a yellow bill with a red spot.
Diet & Behavior: They are opportunistic omnivores and scavengers that feed on fish, shellfish, eggs, and garbage. They are known for dropping shells onto hard surfaces to open them.
Unique Behaviors: In South Africa, they are known to attack live, young seal pups in Namibia. They have also been observed attacking Southern Right Whales in Argentine waters.
Breeding: They are monogamous and colonial, typically nesting on the ground in shallow scrapes lined with vegetation, laying 2-4 eggs.
Distinction from Kelp Gull: While closely related to the kelp gull (L. d. dominicanus), the Cape gull is often identified by its dark iris rather than the pale yellow-white eye of its counterparts.
