The underbelly of the black-backed gull

Southern black-backed gulls (Larus dominicanus dominicanus) are found all around New Zealand’s coast, up rivers and around farmland. They’re also notorious scavengers and predators of native wildlife. And, to top all that off, they’re an aviation hazard, which is why they’re one of two native bird species that have no legal protection in New Zealand. Still, they do look pretty amazing in flight, soaring across the sky, the dark outer edges of their wings shading towards grey and then the pure white of the underbelly, with landing gear tucked up under the tail.