Pacific Gull
Larus pacificusi

The Pacific Gull is the largest Australian Gull (length 58-66 cm, wingspan 1.3-1.5 m) as well as being endemic to Australia, with the slightly smaller Kelp Gull occurring over a much larger range (including New Zealand, South Africa and South America). It is thought that the Kelp Gull is slowly pushing the Pacific Gull out of the south-eastern part of its normal range. The Pacific Gull is easily told from the Kelp Gull by the enormous beak and by the black tail band present in adults. This is the gull from Finding Nemo which says 'mine', but is actually quite an uncommon visitor to Sydney. The bird in this photo is probably a 1st-winter bird - it takes four years or more to reach adult plumage.