New Zealand’s endemic tarāpuka / black-billed gull is the most threatened gull species in the world.
While black-billed gull numbers are high compared to many threatened species, their populations are in rapid decline. This is predicted to continue – by up to 70% over the next 30 years.
Because of their expected decline, the threat status of black-billed gull is now Nationally Critical. This is the highest threat category, reserved for our rarest birds.
Why such rapid decline?
The decline of tarāpuka is due to a number of things, including predation, land-use change, weed encroachment on breeding sites, and water extraction from braided rivers.
You can help
Keep rubbish and pollutants away from waterways and storm drains; ensure pets and domestic animals don’t disturb wildlife; trap pests near breeding colonies and never feed gulls food or scraps – some of our food is harmful to them.
Photo: Some guy called Darren | CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
