Is the Silver Gull a pest bird species?

Yes. The Silver Gull (Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae) is classified as a pest bird species in many regions. It causes damage to agriculture, food storage, and urban infrastructure, and can pose health and biosecurity risks.

What APC unit is used to manage Silver Gull?

The Silver Gull is managed using the APC-N1 and APC-N4 with a T3 — Large tunnel (130 × 500 × 630 mm). The system uses AI computer vision to identify the species and requires remote operator authorisation before any action is taken.

How is the Silver Gull humanely controlled?

Avian Pest Control units use humane CO₂ euthanasia. The Silver Gull enters a species-specific tunnel trap, is identified by AI, and the system only acts after a licensed remote operator authorises the action. Non-target species are never harmed.

Where does the Silver Gull originate from?

The Silver Gull (Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae) is native to Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia. It is managed as a pest bird species in regions where its populations cause damage to agriculture, aviation, public health or native biodiversity.

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Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae

Silver Gull

Name: APC-N1 and APC-N4 — Silver Gull Management System
Brand: Avian Pest Control
Availability: PreOrder

Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia

About the Silver Gull

Australia's most abundant and widespread gull, found at every coastal city, harbour, landfill and beach. Populations have exploded since the mid-20th century due to open landfills and food waste from tourism. A significant aviation hazard at coastal airports and a persistent nuisance at outdoor dining, fish markets and waste facilities.

Why it's a pest

Significant aviation bird-strike hazard at coastal airports due to large flocks and proximity to runways. Contaminates water catchments and open reservoirs with faecal deposits. Aggressive scavenging at food facilities, fish processing plants and outdoor dining causes hygiene and reputational damage. Spreads disease via landfill foraging. Steals food directly from pedestrians in tourist areas.

Global Distribution

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Native rangeInvasive pestNative + pest

Native range

AustraliaNew ZealandNew Caledonia

Established as invasive pest in

AustraliaNew Zealand

Breeding & lifecycle

Wild lifespan

10 – 15 years

Breeding maturity

48 – 60 months

Offspring / year

~1.5 fledglings

Breeding season

Late Spring to early Summer

Egg incubation

28 – 30 days

A group is called

A squabble of gulls

Behavioural — captures the loud, aggressive fighting, stealing, and bickering that occurs between individuals around food scraps or fishing boats.

A colony of gulls

Biological — describes their highly social, shared breeding territories on cliffs or rooftops.

A screech of gulls

Acoustic — describes the piercing, deafening wall of sound generated by hundreds of calling gulls when alarmed.

How the APC-N1 and APC-N4 manages Silver Gull

At approximately 420 mm, the silver gull fits a T3 — Large tunnel (130 × 500 × 630 mm). The tunnel is the physical entry point — sized precisely to admit the target species while excluding larger non-target birds. Species-specific attractant bait draws the silver gull into the detection zone inside the tunnel, where AI computer vision confirms species identity at 99.7% accuracy. Once confirmed, CO₂ is introduced gradually into the chamber; the bird becomes drowsy and loses consciousness without pain or distress. Euthanasia follows only after explicit authorisation from a licensed operator, and the specimen is stored in the integrated freezing chamber with a full compliance audit trail.

The T3 — Large tunnel is available on the APC-N1 and APC-N4 — both units carry this tunnel size as a standard configuration.

Learn about the APC-N4

Silver Gull — Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae