- Larus fuscus
Identification
A common and widespread gull in the north of the region. Breeds in Iceland, the Faroes and British Isles, in Portugal and north-west Spain and from Brittany to Denmark, coastal Norway and Sweden, inland in Finland and north-west Russia and also on the coast of northern Russia.
Northern and eastern populations are migratory with winter range extending from Britain south to North-West Africa and throughout the Mediterranean. Occurs on passage over much of Central and Western Europe.
Vagrant north to Svalbard and Bear Island and south to the Azores and Armenia.
Subspecies Several races are involved, often separable in the field. Dark-mantled nominate race fuscus breeds in north Norway and Sweden, northern Kola Peninsula and western White Sea. Larger and paler-mantled graellsi breeds from Iceland and Britain south to Spain and intermediate between the two, intermedius breeds in Netherlands, Denmark and southern Norway.
Habitat Breeds on rocky islands and on grass-covered tops of mainland cliffs, in some areas also on moorland and sand-dunes and on islets in inland lakes. Rarely uses buildings as nest-sites. Out of the breeding season mainly on coasts, estuaries and harbours, often inland on reservoirs and open grassland.
Bird Song
<flashmp3>Larus fuscus (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program
