Common Name: Swallow-tailed Gull
Scientific Name: Creagrus furcatus

Distribution: Majority of breeding population found in the Galapagos, however also found in small numbers on islands of the coast of Columbia.

Biology: The Swallow-tailed Gull is the only species of strictly nocturnal gull in the world, having adapted to hunt in the darkness of night to avoid the competition of the many other species of seabirds found in the Galápagos. The Swallow-tailed Gull has several traits that facilitate their nocturnal lifestyle, including their large and sensitive eyes, that allow them to locate their prey dyring nighttime forage trip to the sea, where cephalopods make up the majority of their diet. The species nests in colonies where they seek shade in the crevices on the cliffside, where they remain mostly inactive during the daytime. However, once the sun starts to set, the gulls become active and these colonies become increasingly noisy as darkness falls - this is especially true during full moon nights.

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern
The Swallow-tailed Gull is a common species throughout the Galapagos Archipelago, where the population is estimated to be around 10.000 to 15.000 pairs. Given the fact that most of their habitat is within the Galápagos National Park, the precent and future status of the species is considered secure, although climate change might impact the productivity of the sea surrounding the archipelago, and thus the availability of food for the species. However, the species has adapted to following fishing vessels, which indicate that it is capable of adapting and taking advantage of new food sources.