- Larus marinus
Identification
L. 61-74 cm
W. 1.4-1.7 m
- The largest gull, much bigger than a Herring Gull
- Bulky with a powerful bill
Adults
- Black wings and back
- Conspicuous white "mirrors" at the wing tips
- Pinkish legs
- Yellow bill with red spot
Immature
- Scaly black-brown upperparts
- 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.
Similar Species
Lesser Black-backed Gull, which is smaller, has a lighter back and yellow legs.
Distribution
Breeds on the European and North American coasts and islands of the North Atlantic.
In Europe 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 Scandinavia 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.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species[1].
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.
Behaviour
Diet
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.
Breeding
They breed in small colonies, or alone. The ground nest is lined and positioned on cliff tops or rocky stacks. The clutch consists of 3-5 eggs.
Vocalisation
A deep "laughing" cry.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, B.L. Sullivan, C. L. Wood, and D. Roberson. 2013. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: Version 6.8., with updates to August 2013. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Wikipedia
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Great Black-backed Gull. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 24 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Great_Black-backed_Gull
External Links
GSearch checked for 2020 platform.1
