Slaty-backed Gull - BirdForum Opus

Larus schistisagus

Photo by rb stern
Photo taken: Thand.

Identification

L. 27 inches (68.5 cm)

Breeding Adult

• White head, belly, and tail
• Dark, slaty-gray back and wings
  • Broad white trailing edge
• Underside of wings features a "string of pearls" along the edges
  • Can be seen from below when the bird is in flight
• Yellow eyes
• Pink legs (appear shorter than similar gulls)
• Body appears stouter than similar gulls
• Yellow bill with orange-red subterminal band

Immature

Brown

Similar Species

The wings and back are slightly darker than those of the Western Gull.

Immature is similar to Great Black-backed Gull, but paler.

Distribution

breeds on the western coast of Alaska but travels widely during nonbreeding seasons. Claims have been made as to its (sometimes occasional) presence throughout North America as well as the eastern coast of Asia. It is similar in appearance to the Western Gull and the Glaucous-winged Gull. Another alternate name is Pacific Gull, though this also applies to a southern hemisphere species, Larus pacificus.

Taxonomy

Also known as the Kamchatka Gull

Behaviour

Diet

Forager and a scavenger

External Links

Search for photos of Slaty-backed Gull in the gallery

• View more images of this species on Orientalbirdimages