Taxonomy
The Pacific Gull was first described by English ornithologist John Latham in 1802 from a Thomas Watling drawing, where the local name had been recorded as Troo-gad-dill. Its specific epithet refers to the Pacific Ocean.
Two subspecies are recognised: the nominate race pacificus from the east coast, and georgii from South Australia and Western Australia. They have salt glands that secrete salty water through the nostrils.
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