One of the gulls that I remember best from my first visit to the Galapagos is the Swallow-tailed gull. It nests almost exclusively in the Galapagos. The only exception is a small island off the coast of Colombia (Isla Malpelo). The picture shows an individual in mating plumage, characterized by the dark head and the red ring around the eye. Males and females are difficult to distinguish, regardless of season. The eye is large and specially designed for night vision, as this is the only nocturnal gull in the world. It often follows ships at night - e.g. our boat Aida Maria - and you hear its cry in the dark. Ironically, the calls of the Swallow-tailed gull are mostly reminiscent of those of their relatives in the distant north, the kittiwakes...