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| − | [[Image:Larus canus canus by mikemik.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Common Gull ''L. c. canus'', adult summer pair<br>Photo by {{user|mikemik|mikemik}}<br>[[Sweden]], June 2006]] | + | [[Image:Larus canus canus by mikemik.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Common Gull ''L. c. canus'', adult summer pair<br />Photo © by {{user|mikemik|mikemik}}<br />[[Sweden]], June 2006]] |
| − | |||
;[[:Category:Larus|Larus]] canus | ;[[:Category:Larus|Larus]] canus | ||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
| − | [[Image:Larus canus canus by Doc Duck.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Common Gull ''L. c. canus'', showing wing pattern<br>Photo by {{user|Doc+Duck|Doc Duck}}<br>Trondheim, [[Norway]], June 2013]] | + | [[Image:Larus canus canus by Doc Duck.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Common Gull ''L. c. canus'', showing wing pattern<br />Photo © by {{user|Doc+Duck|Doc Duck}}<br />Trondheim, [[Norway]], June 2013]] |
| − | A fairly small white-headed gull, with small yellow bill, petite looks, broad white crescents on back, round head, white primary tips show well when standing, and usually dark brown iris. In winter, the head is lightly streaked with dark grey, and the bill often has a narrow dusky to diffuse black band. Juvenile to first summer have brownish-black primaries; head and body brown to whitish, often heavily streaked; mantle brown in juvenile, grey by first winter. | + | Length 40–46 cm (15¾-18 in), wingspan 100-130 cm, weight 300-550 g [Common Gull ''L. c. canus''; see Subspecies, below, for other subspp.]<br /> |
| + | A fairly small white-headed gull, with small yellow bill, petite looks, medium-grey mantle, broad white crescents on back, round head, white primary tips show well when standing, and usually dark brown iris. In winter, the head is lightly streaked with dark grey, and the bill often has a narrow dusky to diffuse black band. Juvenile to first summer have white tail with black terminal band; brownish-black primaries; head and body brown to whitish, often heavily streaked; mantle brown in juvenile, grey by first winter. | ||
====Similar Species==== | ====Similar Species==== | ||
| − | [[Ring-billed Gull]] is slightly larger with slightly lighter back, pale yellow iris, thicker bill with broad solid black ring, narrower white crescents on back, and less white on the primary tips. Juveniles have | + | [[Ring-billed Gull]] is slightly larger with slightly lighter back, pale yellow iris, thicker bill with broad solid black ring, narrower white crescents on back, and less white on the primary tips. Juveniles have whiter belly and black primaries. |
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
| − | |||
Breeds in northern [[Europe]], northern [[Asia]], and northwestern [[North America]]; migrates south during the winter. See subspecies, below, for detail. | Breeds in northern [[Europe]], northern [[Asia]], and northwestern [[North America]]; migrates south during the winter. See subspecies, below, for detail. | ||
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
| − | [[ | + | Its closest relative is [[Short-billed Gull]] (previously treated as a subspecies), then [[Ring-billed Gull]], and then the entire [[Herring Gull]] complex of large white-headed gulls. |
| − | |||
====Subspecies==== | ====Subspecies==== | ||
| − | Subdivided into | + | [[Image:Larus canus kamtschatschensis by DaninJapan.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Kamchatka Gull ''L. c. kamtschatschensis'', adult winter<br />Photo © by {{user|DaninJapan|DaninJapan}}<br />Shimoda-Machi, Aomori-Ken, [[Japan]]; February 2005]] |
| − | *''L. c. canus'' '''Common Gull'''. Abundant breeding species in northern [[Europe]] ([[Iceland]], northwestern [[Ireland]], [[Scotland]], [[Netherlands]], northern [[Germany]], [[Scandinavia]], [[Finland]], [[Poland]], the [[Baltic]] | + | Subdivided into three subspecies<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup><sup>[[#References|[2]]]</sup>: |
| − | *''L. c. heinei'' '''Siberian Common Gull'''. Breeds in [[Russia]] and [[Kazakhstan]] from around 40°E to around 140°E longitude; wintering mainly in central Europe, the eastern Mediterranean, Black Sea, and southern Caspian Sea, though a few also west to Britain, and east with ''L. c. kamtschatschensis'' to the western Pacific. As ''L. c. canus'', but mantle slightly darker. | + | *''L. c. canus'' '''Common Gull'''. Abundant breeding species in northern [[Europe]] ([[Iceland]], northwestern [[Ireland]], [[Scotland]], [[Netherlands]], northern [[Germany]], [[Scandinavia]], [[Finland]], [[Poland]], the [[Baltic States]], and [[Russia]] east to about 40°E longitude; wintering south and west to [[Ireland]], [[Britain]], [[France]] and northern [[Germany]]; small numbers as far south as [[Morocco]], and west to the Atlantic coast of North America. Abundant, with a population of around 500,000 pairs; after [[Black-headed Gull]] the commonest gull wintering in [[Britain]], with 700,000 birds, with a northern bias. |
| − | *''L. c. kamtschatschensis'' '''Kamchatka Gull'''. Breeds in north-eastern Siberia; winters western Pacific in [[Japan]], [[Korea]], northeastern [[China]], and far southeastern [[Russia]] (Vladivostok area). As ''L. c. heinei'', but larger, with a heavier bill; legs brighter yellow; iris often light brown in adults; size suggests a transition to [[Ring-billed Gull]] rather than Mew Gull<sup>[[#References|[2]]]</sup>. Population not known, but common in Japan in winter. | + | *''L. c. heinei'' '''Siberian Common Gull'''. Breeds in [[Russia]] and [[Kazakhstan]] from around 40°E to around 140°E longitude; wintering mainly in central Europe, the eastern Mediterranean, Black Sea, and southern Caspian Sea, though a few also west to Britain, and east with ''L. c. kamtschatschensis'' to the western Pacific. As ''L. c. canus'', but mantle slightly darker. Population not known, but common in central Europe in winter. |
| − | :The above three subspecies are weakly defined, with broad zones of intergradation where they meet | + | *''L. c. kamtschatschensis'' '''Kamchatka Gull'''. Breeds in north-eastern Siberia; winters western Pacific in [[Japan]], [[Korea]], northeastern [[China]], and far southeastern [[Russia]] (Vladivostok area). Length to 45 cm, weight to 600 g. As ''L. c. heinei'', but larger, with a longer, heavier bill and more angular head; legs brighter yellow; iris often light brown in adults; size suggests a transition to [[Ring-billed Gull]] rather than Mew Gull<sup>[[#References|[2]]]</sup>. Population not known, but common in Japan in winter. |
| − | + | :*The above three subspecies are weakly defined, with broad zones of intergradation where they meet<sup>[[#References|[2]]]</sup>. | |
| − | [[Image:Larus canus canus juv by Bobby65.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Common Gull ''L. c. canus'', juvenile<br>Photo by {{user|Bobby65|Bobby65}}<br>Leksand, [[Sweden]]; August 2005]] | + | [[Image:Larus canus canus juv by Bobby65.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Common Gull ''L. c. canus'', juvenile<br />Photo © by {{user|Bobby65|Bobby65}}<br />Leksand, [[Sweden]]; August 2005]] |
| − | |||
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
| − | + | Natural habitat by lakes and marshes in the breeding season and along coasts in winter; within last century or so has become strongly adapted to human commensalism, feeding on ploughed fields, meadows, and sports grounds, or in streets on human-supplied food, and using roofs in urban areas (particularly industrial estates) to nest and rest. Outside of the breeding season, often flies long distances (up to 20-30 km) every evening to roost at sea or on large lakes and reservoirs. | |
| − | |||
| − | Natural habitat by lakes and marshes in the breeding season and along coasts in winter; within last century or so has become strongly adapted to human commensalism, feeding on ploughed fields, meadows, and sports grounds, or in streets on human-supplied food, and using roofs in urban areas (particularly industrial estates) to nest and rest. Outside of the breeding season, often flies | ||
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
| Line 38: | Line 33: | ||
They make a lined nest on the ground on islets in wetlands or on moorland, on large buildings (flat-roofed factories), or rarely, in a tree. | They make a lined nest on the ground on islets in wetlands or on moorland, on large buildings (flat-roofed factories), or rarely, in a tree. | ||
====Vocalisation==== | ====Vocalisation==== | ||
| − | + | {{ Audio|Larus canus (song).mp3 }} | |
| − | ''[[ | + | |
| + | ==Gallery== | ||
| + | Click on photo for larger image | ||
| + | <gallery> | ||
| + | Image:Larus canus canus 1stw by tacumshin.jpg|Common Gull ''L. c. canus'', first winter<br />Photo © by {{user|tacumshin|tacumshin}}<br />Kilmore, [[Ireland]], February 2012 | ||
| + | Image:IMG 35761.JPG|1st Winter, subspecies ''canus''<br />Photo © by {{user|G6+UXU|G6 UXU}}<br />Preston Docks, [[Lancashire]], March 2018 | ||
| + | </gallery> | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
| − | #{{Ref- | + | #{{Ref-Clements6thAug21}}#Olsen, K. M., & Larsson, H. (2003). ''Gulls of Europe, Asia and North America''. Helm ISBN 978-0-7136-7087-5 |
| − | #{{Ref-SibleyMonroe96}} | + | #{{Ref-SibleyMonroe96}}#Adriaens, P., & Gibbins, C. (2016). Identification of the ''Larus canus'' complex. ''Dutch Birding'' 38 (1): 1–64. |
{{ref}} | {{ref}} | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
| − | {{GSearch| | + | {{GSearch|"Larus canus" {{!}} "common gull"}} |
| + | {{GS-checked}}1 | ||
| + | <br /> | ||
<br /> | <br /> | ||
| − | |||
| − | [[Category:Birds]][[Category:Larus]][[Category:Bird Songs | + | [[Category:Birds]][[Category:Larus]][[Category:Bird Songs]] |
Latest revision as of 14:36, 31 December 2024
- Larus canus
Identification
Length 40–46 cm (15¾-18 in), wingspan 100-130 cm, weight 300-550 g [Common Gull L. c. canus; see Subspecies, below, for other subspp.]
A fairly small white-headed gull, with small yellow bill, petite looks, medium-grey mantle, broad white crescents on back, round head, white primary tips show well when standing, and usually dark brown iris. In winter, the head is lightly streaked with dark grey, and the bill often has a narrow dusky to diffuse black band. Juvenile to first summer have white tail with black terminal band; brownish-black primaries; head and body brown to whitish, often heavily streaked; mantle brown in juvenile, grey by first winter.
Similar Species
Ring-billed Gull is slightly larger with slightly lighter back, pale yellow iris, thicker bill with broad solid black ring, narrower white crescents on back, and less white on the primary tips. Juveniles have whiter belly and black primaries.
Distribution
Breeds in northern Europe, northern Asia, and northwestern North America; migrates south during the winter. See subspecies, below, for detail.
Taxonomy
Its closest relative is Short-billed Gull (previously treated as a subspecies), then Ring-billed Gull, and then the entire Herring Gull complex of large white-headed gulls.
Subspecies
Kamchatka Gull L. c. kamtschatschensis, adult winter
Photo © by DaninJapan
Shimoda-Machi, Aomori-Ken, Japan; February 2005
Photo © by DaninJapan
Shimoda-Machi, Aomori-Ken, Japan; February 2005
Subdivided into three subspecies[1][2]:
- L. c. canus Common Gull. Abundant breeding species in northern Europe (Iceland, northwestern Ireland, Scotland, Netherlands, northern Germany, Scandinavia, Finland, Poland, the Baltic States, and Russia east to about 40°E longitude; wintering south and west to Ireland, Britain, France and northern Germany; small numbers as far south as Morocco, and west to the Atlantic coast of North America. Abundant, with a population of around 500,000 pairs; after Black-headed Gull the commonest gull wintering in Britain, with 700,000 birds, with a northern bias.
- L. c. heinei Siberian Common Gull. Breeds in Russia and Kazakhstan from around 40°E to around 140°E longitude; wintering mainly in central Europe, the eastern Mediterranean, Black Sea, and southern Caspian Sea, though a few also west to Britain, and east with L. c. kamtschatschensis to the western Pacific. As L. c. canus, but mantle slightly darker. Population not known, but common in central Europe in winter.
- L. c. kamtschatschensis Kamchatka Gull. Breeds in north-eastern Siberia; winters western Pacific in Japan, Korea, northeastern China, and far southeastern Russia (Vladivostok area). Length to 45 cm, weight to 600 g. As L. c. heinei, but larger, with a longer, heavier bill and more angular head; legs brighter yellow; iris often light brown in adults; size suggests a transition to Ring-billed Gull rather than Mew Gull[2]. Population not known, but common in Japan in winter.
- The above three subspecies are weakly defined, with broad zones of intergradation where they meet[2].
Habitat
Natural habitat by lakes and marshes in the breeding season and along coasts in winter; within last century or so has become strongly adapted to human commensalism, feeding on ploughed fields, meadows, and sports grounds, or in streets on human-supplied food, and using roofs in urban areas (particularly industrial estates) to nest and rest. Outside of the breeding season, often flies long distances (up to 20-30 km) every evening to roost at sea or on large lakes and reservoirs.
Behaviour
Diet
Omnivorous. They scavenge as well as hunt small prey.
Breeding
They make a lined nest on the ground on islets in wetlands or on moorland, on large buildings (flat-roofed factories), or rarely, in a tree.
Vocalisation
Gallery
Click on photo for larger image
1st Winter, subspecies canus
Photo © by G6 UXU
Preston Docks, Lancashire, March 2018
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, S. M. Billerman, T. A. Fredericks, J. A. Gerbracht, D. Lepage, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2021. The eBird/Clements checklist of Birds of the World: v2021. Downloaded from https://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Olsen, K. M., & Larsson, H. (2003). Gulls of Europe, Asia and North America. Helm ISBN 978-0-7136-7087-5
- Sibley, CG and BL Monroe. 1996. Birds of the World, on diskette, Windows version 2.0. Charles G. Sibley, Santa Rosa, CA, USA.
- Adriaens, P., & Gibbins, C. (2016). Identification of the Larus canus complex. Dutch Birding 38 (1): 1–64.
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Common Gull. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 15 January 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Common_Gull
External Links
GSearch checked for 2020 platform.1
