Great Black-backed Gull

Larus marinus

Photo by Michael W

Description

The Great Black-backed Gull, Larus marinus, is a very large gull which breeds on the European and North American coasts and islands of the North Atlantic. It is fairly sedentary, but some Great Black-backed Gulls move further south or inland to large lakes or reservoirs.

This is the largest gull, much bigger than a Herring Gull. It is 61-74 cm long with a 1.4 to 1.7 m wingspan. It is bulky, and has a powerful bill. The adults have black wings and back, with conspicuous white "mirrors" at the wing tips. The legs are pinkish, and the bill yellow with a red spot.

Young birds have scaly black-brown upperparts, and a neat wing pattern. They take at least four years to reach maturity, development in this species being somewhat slower than that of other large gulls. The call is a deep "laughing" cry.

These are omnivores like most Larus gulls, and they will scavenge as well as seeking suitable small prey. They frequently rob other seabirds of their catch. It can swallow a puffin or a small wild duck whole.

This species breeds singly or in small colonies, making a lined nest on the ground often on top of a rocky stack. 3-5 eggs are laid

Identification

Breeds on Svalbard, in Iceland and the Faroes, the north and west coasts of the British Isles, Channel Islands and Brittany. Also in Denmark and the Baltic States, around the coasts of Scandinava and the Kola Peninsula. Bred for the first time in Latvia in 1992 and the Netherlands in 1993.

Migratory in the north but resident or dispersive over most of range. In winter range more extensive in Britain and on coasts from the southern Baltic to the western Mediterranean.

Vagrant to most European and Middle Eastern countries out of normal range, also the Azores, Madeira, Canary Islands, North-West Africa and Malta.

Habitat Breeds on rocky coasts, islets and stacks, on inland freshwaters in some areas. Nests on buildings in some areas and also low flats coasts where not persecuted. When not breeding on coasts and at sea over continental shelf, also frequents fishing harbours, refuse-tips and playing fields.

Bird Song

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

External Links

• View more images of Great Black-backed Gull in the gallery