Description

Disclaimer: Copyright infringement not intended.

Context:

Little gull is a bird native to the Eurasian region and was spotted for the first time in National Capital Region.

About Little gull:

It is a species of gull belonging to the family Laridae which is mainly found in the Palearctic with some colonies in North America.

It breeds on freshwaters and spends winters at sea.

It is the smallest species of gull in the world and the only species in the monospecific genus Hydrocoloeus.

The little gull has a wide Palearctic distribution breeding from northern Scandinavia and the eastern Baltic Sea to eastern Siberia.

They also breed in North America around the Great Lakes.

It is a migratory species that winters along the coasts of Europe as far south as the Mediterranean, Black, and Caspian Seas.

It is a migratory species with separate breeding and wintering ranges.

Habitat: Seacoasts, bays, estuaries, rivers, lakes, ponds, marshes, and flooded fields.

IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Features:

Smallest gull species in the world.
The adults in breeding plumage have a black hood, dark red bill, bright red legs and a rosy flush to the underside.
It is pale grey in breeding plumage with a black hood, dark underwings, and often a pinkish flush on the breast.
Young birds have black markings on the head and upper parts, and a "W" pattern across the wings.
By their first winter the head and body are similar to those of an adult but the upperwing pattern is retained.

About Mediterranean Region

Location	Found between 30°–45° N and S latitudes, mainly around the Mediterranean Sea.
Countries	Includes parts of Southern Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia (e.g., Spain, Italy, Egypt, Turkey).
Climate Type	Mediterranean Climate (Csa, Csb according to Köppen classification).
Temperature	Mild, wet winters (10–15°C); hot, dry summers (20–30°C).
Rainfall	Annual rainfall: 300–800 mm; most rain falls in winter.
Natural Vegetation	Mediterranean Forests, Woodlands, and Scrub: Olive, cork oak, cypress, and aromatic herbs.
Soil Type	Terra Rossa (red soil); fertile but prone to erosion due to deforestation.
Agriculture	Intensive agriculture: olives, grapes, citrus fruits, wheat, and figs.
Major Rivers	Nile, Ebro, Rhône, Po, Tiber.
Biodiversity	Rich biodiversity with many endemic species (e.g., Mediterranean Monk Seal, Loggerhead Turtle).
Natural Hazards	Prone to droughts, forest fires, and occasional flooding.
Cultural Significance	Known as the "cradle of civilization," with influences from Ancient Greece, Rome, and Phoenicia.
Challenges	Overgrazing, urbanization, deforestation, and water scarcity.
Cities	Rome, Athens, Barcelona, Algiers, Beirut.

Source:

TOI

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Consider the following statements regarding the Little Gull:

The Little Gull is the smallest species of gull found worldwide.
It is primarily found in tropical regions and breeds near the equator.
The species is known for its distinct black hood during the breeding season.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: b

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The Little Gull (Hydrocoloeus minutus) is the smallest gull species, with a wingspan of about 24-28 inches.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The Little Gull is native to the temperate and Arctic regions, particularly in Europe and North America, not tropical areas.

Statement 3 is correct: During the breeding season, the Little Gull develops a distinctive black hood, which helps in its identification.