Ross's Gull

Rhodostethia rosea

General Status Rank: 
Not Ranked (Not Assessed)
ELCODE: 
ABNNM05010
Common Name: 
Ross's Gull
Scientific Name: 
Rhodostethia rosea
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Taxonomy
Group: 
Bird
Kingdom: 
Animalia
Phylum: 
Chordata
Class: 
Aves
Order: 
Charadriiformes
Family: 
Laridae
References: 
B004
General Biology

Economic/Human Considerations

non-hunted species
References: 
H131
H132
Habitat
nesting = from marshy tundra to gravel reefs
References: 
R031
Distribution

Ecozones

Northern Arctic, Southern Arctic, Arctic Basin
References: 
B004

Distribution

Beaufort Sea in September - October (end of fall movement from the Chukchi Sea, Russia); about 10 %; Distribution in summer is 0%; Range extent covers <1% of NWT mainland. Range extent visually estimated from range map in "Distribution of birds in NWT & Nunavut: 2009 Review" (CWS)
Score: 
F
References: 
H131
H132
R031
Winter Distribution Description: 
open arctic waters

Number of Occurrences

No nesting occurrence, nor individual sightings, one major population or group of individual use the Beaufort Sea in fall.; While there are no specimens or documented sight records, there are references in the literature to its possible occurrence in the Mackenzie Delta region at the Taglu and Niglintgak sites. There are breeding sites to the east of the NWT in Nunavut and this species is regularly seen in fall migration in the Beaufort Sea around Point Barrow, before wintering in the Bering Sea and Sea of Okhotsk
Score: 
A
References: 
R031

Area of Occupancy

Increased sightings but may be due to increased effort
Score: 
-
References: 
R031
CS26
Population

Population Size

50,000 world wide, <200 breeders in Canada; Likely <100 in NWT/Nunavut
Score: 
AB
References: 
H131
H132
R031
CS26

Density

colonial
Trends

Trends

population about as in the late 1800s (R031), apparent continental declines (CS26)
References: 
R031
CS26
Threats

Threats

interspecific competition (gulls and jaegers), pollution, blackmarket demand for eggs and birds
Score: 
C
References: 
B004
R031

Intrinsic Vulnerability

oil spillls in Beaufort Sea possibly pollution, development, disturbance, global climate change
Score: 
-
References: 
B004
R031
General Status Rank
Rank: 
Not Ranked (Not Assessed)
Status Rank Description: 
Small number of occurrences as birds are concentrated to Beaufort Sea in fall; numbers and trends uncertain; Species is at the margin of its range
S Rank: 
SNA
Decision Process Description: 
In 2000: drafted by Grant Gilchrist and Myra Rpbertson, reviewed by S. Carriere based mostly on printed material. Reviewed in 2005 by C. Swoboda, based on printed material: Modified to Vagrant due to uncertainty of sightings in Beaufort Sea.; Reviewed in 2010;no change; Reviewed by Danica Hogan CWS in 2015, no change; ; Reviewed in 2020, modified from vagrant to not assessed due to lack of evidence or sightings (NWT Bird checklist project)
Last Updated: 
June 20, 2020
Status Designations

Canada – Assessment by Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada

COSEWIC Status: 
Threatened
References: 
R031
CS20

References

Area of Occupancy

  • Alvo R, McRae D, Holohan S, and Divoky G (1996) Updated status report on the Ross' gull Rhodostethia rosea in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) RWED Library Folder - R031 Return
  • Anonymous (2003) Wings over Water – Canada’s Waterbird Conservation Plan. Canadian Wildlife Service, - CS26 Return
COSEWIC Status
  • Alvo R, McRae D, Holohan S, and Divoky G (1996) Updated status report on the Ross' gull Rhodostethia rosea in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) RWED Library Folder - R031 Return
  • COSEWIC website (2005) Harlequin Duck in COSEWIC Species Database. http://www.cosewic.gc.ca - CS20 Return

Economic Status

  • Gilchrist Grant (2000) Pers. communication. Wildlife Population Biologist, Eastern Arctic, CWS Yellowknife - H131 Return
  • Robertson Myra (2000) Pers. communication. Wildlife Population Technician, Eastern Arctic, CWS Yellowknife - H132 Return

Ecozones

  • Godfrey WE (1986) The Birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada Revised Edition RWED Library Call #QL685.G6 - B004 Return

Habitat

  • Alvo R, McRae D, Holohan S, and Divoky G (1996) Updated status report on the Ross' gull Rhodostethia rosea in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) RWED Library Folder - R031 Return

Intrinsic Vulnerability

  • Godfrey WE (1986) The Birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada Revised Edition RWED Library Call #QL685.G6 - B004 Return
  • Alvo R, McRae D, Holohan S, and Divoky G (1996) Updated status report on the Ross' gull Rhodostethia rosea in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) RWED Library Folder - R031 Return

Number of Occurrences

  • Alvo R, McRae D, Holohan S, and Divoky G (1996) Updated status report on the Ross' gull Rhodostethia rosea in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) RWED Library Folder - R031 Return

Population Size

Gilchrist Grant (2000) Pers. communication. Wildlife Population Biologist, Eastern Arctic, CWS Yellowknife - H131 Return
,
Robertson Myra (2000) Pers. communication. Wildlife Population Technician, Eastern Arctic, CWS Yellowknife - H132 Return
,
Alvo R, McRae D, Holohan S, and Divoky G (1996) Updated status report on the Ross' gull Rhodostethia rosea in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) RWED Library Folder - R031 Return
,
Anonymous (2003) Wings over Water – Canada’s Waterbird Conservation Plan. Canadian Wildlife Service, - CS26 Return

Range Extent

  • Gilchrist Grant (2000) Pers. communication. Wildlife Population Biologist, Eastern Arctic, CWS Yellowknife - H131 Return
  • Robertson Myra (2000) Pers. communication. Wildlife Population Technician, Eastern Arctic, CWS Yellowknife - H132 Return
  • Alvo R, McRae D, Holohan S, and Divoky G (1996) Updated status report on the Ross' gull Rhodostethia rosea in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) RWED Library Folder - R031 Return

Short Term Trends

  • Alvo R, McRae D, Holohan S, and Divoky G (1996) Updated status report on the Ross' gull Rhodostethia rosea in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) RWED Library Folder - R031 Return
  • Anonymous (2003) Wings over Water – Canada’s Waterbird Conservation Plan. Canadian Wildlife Service, - CS26 Return

Taxonomy

  • Godfrey WE (1986) The Birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada Revised Edition RWED Library Call #QL685.G6 - B004 Return

Threats

  • Godfrey WE (1986) The Birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada Revised Edition RWED Library Call #QL685.G6 - B004 Return
  • Alvo R, McRae D, Holohan S, and Divoky G (1996) Updated status report on the Ross' gull Rhodostethia rosea in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) RWED Library Folder - R031 Return