Red-billed gulls, known to most of us as lunchtime scavengers, are ranked the same on a threat classification scale as yellow-eyed penguins.
Department of Conservation's Taiaroa Head ranger Lyndon Perriman said nationally, red-billed gull numbers were declining but in Otago, and especially on Taiaroa Head, they were "doing OK".
They were nesting and hatching chicks alongside a busy pathway on the headland, ignoring the many tourists who walked past on their way back from viewing the royal northern albatross.
It was thought the plenty of types of krill, especially the red krill seen on beaches around Otago Peninsula at the moment, was providing a perfect food source during breeding season, he said.
"They should do quite well this season."
About 20 years ago, there were 100 to 200 pairs on the headland but now there were 2000 pairs, thanks to the trapping programme for rats undertaken as part of the protection measures for the albatross.
"Since we've dealt with the rats, the population has increased dramatically, although it has plateaued off in the past two or three years."
There were many different factors, such as populations and ability to breed, involved in its threat categorisation.
The gull had the ability to raise more chicks than the penguins or albatross, which had a nationally uncommon ranking, he said.
The protection work for the albatross had allowed other sea birds such as royal spoonbills to return to the headland, along with the rare plant Cook's scurvy grass, Mr Perriman said.
"It gives us a glimpse of what New Zealand headlands used to look like."
The gulls would leave the headland about February, heading out to sea, he said.
