Ivory gull
A high-Arctic gull threatened by sea ice loss.
The ivory gull (Pagophila eburnea) is a small gull and the only species in its genus, Pagophila. It breeds in the high Arctic, living year-round across Greenland, northernmost North America, and Eurasia in a circumpolar pattern.
First described in 1774 by Constantine Phipps, 2nd Baron Mulgrave, the species was named Larus eburneus from a specimen collected on Spitsbergen during his 1773 North Pole expedition. In 1829, Johann Jakob Kaup recognized its distinct traits and placed it in the monotypic genus Pagophila. Johan Ernst Gunnerus later proposed the name Pagophila alba. The genus name combines Ancient Greek pagos ("sea-ice") and philos ("-loving"), while the species name eburnea is Latin for "ivory-coloured," from ebur ("ivory"). Today, a few authors argue the ivory gull should be merged back into Larus with other monotypic gulls, but most disagree. No subspecies exist, and no fossil members of this genus are known.
Traditionally, the ivory gull was thought to be most closely related to kittiwakes, Sabine's gull, or Ross's gull. Anatomically, it differs from other genera by having a shorter tarsometatarsus, a narrower os pubis, and possibly more flexibility in its skull kinetic structure. Structurally, it resembles kittiwakes most, but recent mtDNA analysis shows Sabine's gull is its closest relative, followed by kittiwakes, with Ross's gull, little gull, and swallow-tailed gull in a related clade. Pagophila remains a separate genus due to the bird's morphological, behavioural, and ecological differences. In Newfoundland, colloquial names include slob gull (from "slob," a local term for drift ice) and ice partridge, from a vague resemblance to a ptarmigan.
The ivory gull measures 40–43 cm (16–17 in) long, with a wingspan of 108–120 cm (43–47 in). Males weigh 500–687 g (17.6–24.2 oz), females 448–583 g (15.8–20.6 oz). It is easy to identify, with a pigeon-like shape unlike Larus gulls, reinforced by short legs. Adults have completely pure white plumage, lacking the grey back of other gulls. The thick bill is blue with a yellow tip (occasionally reddish), legs are black, eyes are dark with a narrow dark red orbital ring. Juveniles and first-winter birds have a dusky face and variable black flecking on wings and tail; they take two years to reach full adult plumage. Second-winter yearlings show intermediate plumage with smaller dark spots and a less dusky
- Scientific name
- Pagophila eburnea
- Length
- 40–43 cm
- Wingspan
- 108–120 cm
- Mass (male)
- 500–687 g
- Mass (female)
- 448–583 g
- Conservation status
- Near Threatened (IUCN)
- Estimated population (2012)
- 19,000–27,000 individuals
Lore & Background
The ivory gull was first described by Constantine Phipps, 2nd Baron Mulgrave in 1774 as Larus eburneus from a specimen collected on Spitsbergen during his 1773 expedition towards the North Pole. Johann Jakob Kaup later placed it in the monotypic genus Pagophila in 1829, noting its unique traits. The genus name comes from Ancient Greek pagos (sea-ice) and philos (loving), while the specific eburnea is Latin for ivory-coloured. Most authors maintain Pagophila as a distinct genus due to morphological, behavioural, and ecological differences from other gulls, though a few would merge it back into Larus. No fossil members of this genus are known.
The ivory gull breeds on Arctic coasts and cliffs, laying one to three olive eggs in a ground nest lined with moss, lichens, or seaweed. It breeds in summer, laying eggs in late June or early July, with chicks fledging in August. Most colonies are small, with 5–60 pairs, rarely over 100 pairs. Some colonies have been found breeding on gravel-covered floating ice floes off Greenland. The largest known breeding colony is on Seymour Island, Nunavut. The species has no subspecies and shows no differences in appearance across its geographic range.
During winter, ivory gulls live near polynyas—areas of open water surrounded by sea ice. They migrate only short distances south, with most of the population wintering at the edge of pack ice. Juveniles tend to wander further from the Arctic than adults. The species is an opportunist scavenger, feeding on fish, crustaceans, eggs, small chicks, seal or porpoise corpses, and even polar bear and seal faeces and seal placentae. It frequently follows polar bears and other predators to feed on remains of kills.
Reader's Guide
The ivory gull is significant as a specialized high-Arctic species uniquely adapted to life on sea ice. Its pure white plumage, pigeon-like shape, and short legs distinguish it from other gulls. The species is considered a potential indicator of climate change impacts in the Arctic, as its breeding and feeding depend on sea ice. Data collected between 1988 and 2014 found a sevenfold fall in ivory gull numbers after 2007. The Canadian population in the early 2000s was approximately 80% lower than in the 1980s. The main cause of global decline is the loss of sea ice due to human-induced global warming, which makes it difficult for the gulls to find enough food for their chicks. Illegal hunting may also contribute to declines in Canada. The International Union for Conservation of Nature classifies the species as Near Threatened. There is a high risk that the ivory gull could become the first vertebrate to become extinct due to human-induced global warming. The species appears in literature as the inspiration for the eponymous carving in Holling C. Holling's Newbery Medal-winning children's book, Seabird.
Did You Know?
- The ivory gull is the only species in the genus Pagophila and has no subspecies.
- Its colloquial names from Newfoundland include 'slob gull' (from 'slob', a local name for drift ice) and 'ice partridge'.
- The largest known breeding colony is on Seymour Island, Nunavut.
- Data from 1988–2014 showed a sevenfold fall in ivory gull numbers after 2007.
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