Leucophaeus fuliginosus
The Lava Gull is the only fully nocturnal gull in the world and the only gull species endemic to Galápagos. With a total population estimated at fewer than 600 individuals, it is also one of the rarest gulls on the planet.
Its plumage is a deep sooty gray, approaching black, with black bill and legs, vivid red eyelids, and white eyebrows that contrast sharply against the dark head.
Its nocturnal activity is directly linked to its foraging strategy: it feeds primarily on small fish and cephalopods that rise to the ocean surface at night, attracted by bioluminescence. Its eyes are adapted for low-light vision.
It nests in small colonies on rocky coastal areas, typically laying a single egg per breeding season. Both parents participate in incubation and chick-rearing. IUCN Status: Vulnerable.
