Common name: Sooty Gull
Scientific name: Larus hemprichii
Family: Laridae

Size:
Body length: 40–45 cm
Wingspan: 105–120 cm
Weight: 350–550 g

Identification:
A medium-sized gull with a dark sooty-brown hood, back and upperwings, a white half-collar and a white belly. The long bill is greenish-yellow with a black band and a red tip, and the legs are yellowish. The eye is dark, with a thin white crescent above it. Juveniles are browner and less contrasting than adults.

Habitat:
Coastal waters, islands, harbors, sandy shores, mudflats, and offshore marine environments.

Status in the UAE:
Common resident along the UAE coastline and offshore islands.

Diet:
Omnivorous and opportunistic — feeds on fish, marine invertebrates, carrion, refuse, and scraps.

Behavior:
Usually seen along coasts and around fishing activity. Frequently scavenges but also catches prey directly from the water surface. Often occurs singly or in small groups, though larger gatherings may form around food sources. Strong and direct flier.

Conservation status:
Least Concern (IUCN Red List)