swallow-tailed gull

bird

Also known as: Creagrus furcatus

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 17, 2026

Quick Summary

The swallow-tailed gull is also known as Sabine's gull. Gulls, in general, are seabirds belonging to the family Laridae, with over 40 species. They are typically gray or white with variable head markings and a slightly hooked bill. Gulls are adaptable and opportunistic feeders, consuming insects, mollusks, crustaceans, worms, fish, and garbage. Some larger species may prey on the eggs and young of other birds.12

The swallow-tailed gull (Creagrus furcatus) is found in the Galapagos Islands and is distinctive for its deeply forked tail, a characteristic unique among gulls. It is noted for being semipelagic and nocturnal.3

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

3 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

gull
The swallow-tailed gull (Creagrus furcatus) of the Galapagos Islands is a striking bird, the only gull with a deeply forked tail. (See also kittiwake.)
Read More
The swallow-tailed gull (Creagrus furcatus) of the Galapagos Islands is a striking bird, the only gull with a deeply forked tail. (See also kittiwake.)
Read More