SEX DETERMINATION OF GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULLS USING MORPHOMETRIC CHARACTERS

We evaluated sexual size dimorphism of Great Black-backed Gulls (Larus marinus) from a breeding colony in the Bay of Fundy and provide a reliable method for predicting the sex of measured individuals. Males were significantly larger than females in all body measurements. A predictive function using only three linear measurements (head length, bill depth and wing length) was more accurate than any single linear measure and correctly sexed 99-100% of the individuals.