Glaucous Gull

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Larus hyperboreus

Photo by Panthers1
Photographed: Granville Island Marina, Vancouver, BC Canada

Identification

This is a large and powerful gull, very pale in all plumages, with no black in the wings or tail. Adults are pale grey above, with a thick yellow bill. Immatures are very pale grey with a pink and black bill. This species is larger and thicker billed than the similar Iceland Gull, and is as large as the Great Black-backed Gull. They take four years to reach maturity. The call is a "laughing" cry like Herring Gull.¹

Distribution

Breeds in west and north Iceland, Jan Mayen, Bear Island and Svalbard, on the north Russian coast from the Kanin Peninsula eastwards, and on Novaya Zemlya and Franz Josef Land.

In winter found around Iceland and from Lapland south to Denmark and the Netherlands, the north of Scotland and in smaller numbers on the east coast of Britain and northern France. Total British wintering population is usually above 200 birds with up to 600 present in some years. Many are regularly returning individuals with favoured wintering sites.

Vagrant to Spain and the Mediterranean and Black Seas, the Czech Republic, Hungary, the Canary Islands, Azores and Madeira.

Interbreeds extensively with Herring Gull in Iceland (also recorded in Scotland) and occasionally other species elsewhere in range. This species also breeds in Greenland, arctic Canada and Alaska, and winters further south in Canada and the northern U.S.

Habitat

Breeds on islands and mainland cliffs, beside freshwater lakes and rivers and on inland crags and cliffs. Out of the breeding season mainly on coasts, often in fishing harbours and bays.

Behaviour

These are omnivores like most Larus gulls, and they will scavenge as well as seeking suitable small prey. These birds forage while swimming or walking, also may pick up items off water or catch small birds while flying. They often follow fishing boats and are one of the most predatory gulls.^[1]

Vocalisation

<flashmp3>Larus hyperboreus (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program

References

1. Nationmaster

External Links

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