Andean Gull

*Top 50 Target Species

The Andean Gull is a striking highland species found year-round in Ecuador’s Andean lakes, marshes, and páramo zones, typically between 3,000 and 5,300 meters. Globally listed as Least Concern, its population trend remains uncertain, though it benefits from a broad range across the central Andes. In Ecuador, it is most often observed around high-altitude wetlands such as Laguna de Papallacta and the Chimborazo region, where it breeds and forages in open, windswept habitats. With its black hood and crisp white plumage, it stands out against the stark alpine landscape, often seen gliding over puna grasslands or loafing near shallow water bodies.