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[[Image:Herring_Gull.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by Robert Scanlon]]
[[Image:Herring_Gull.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by Robert Scanlon]]
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;[[:Category:Larus|Larus]] argentatus
==Identification==
==Identification==
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55-66cm.
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'''Breeding Adult'''
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*Grey back and upperwings
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*White head
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*White below
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*Black wing tips with white spots
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*Bare yellow eye ring
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*Yellow bill with red spot
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*Pink legs
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'''Non Breeding Adult'''
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*Brown streaks on head and neck
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'''Juvenile'''
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*Brown with dark streaks
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*Dark bill
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*Dark iris
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'''Second-winter bird'''
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*Whiter head and underparts
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*Grey back
==Distribution==
==Distribution==
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Breeds widely across Northern Europe from Iceland and the Faroes to northern Scandinavia and Arctic Russia, reaching south to the British Isles and France east to Germany, Poland, Belarus and the Baltic States. Has recently been recorded breeding in a [[Yellow-legged Gull]] colony in northern Spain.
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Breeds widely across Northern [[Europe]] from [[Iceland]] and the [[Faroes]] to northern [[Scandinavia]] and Arctic [[Russia]], reaching south to the [[British Isles]] and [[France]] east to [[Germany]], [[Poland]], [[Belarus]] and the Baltic States. Has recently been recorded breeding in a [[Yellow-legged Gull]] colony in northern [[Spain]].
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Mainly resident or dispersive, except in north Norway, the Baltic, Finland and northern Russia where migratory.<br/>
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Mainly resident or dispersive, except in north Norway, the Baltic, [[Finland]] and northern Russia where migratory.<br/>
Widespread in winter in Western and Central Europe.<br/>
Widespread in winter in Western and Central Europe.<br/>
Line 18:
Line 35:
The larger and paler North American form once considered race ''smithsonianus'' is now treated as a separate species, [[American Herring Gull]].
The larger and paler North American form once considered race ''smithsonianus'' is now treated as a separate species, [[American Herring Gull]].
Subspecies: Various races occur in the Region and typical representatives of races are often identifiable in the field, however, much intergradation occurs. Nominate ''argentatus'' breeds in in Scandinavia and northern Russia and smaller and slightly paler ''argenteus'' in Iceland and Faroes, British Isles and western France east to Germany.
Subspecies: Various races occur in the Region and typical representatives of races are often identifiable in the field, however, much intergradation occurs. Nominate ''argentatus'' breeds in in Scandinavia and northern Russia and smaller and slightly paler ''argenteus'' in Iceland and Faroes, British Isles and western France east to Germany.
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==Habitat==
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==Habitat==
Breeds mainly along rocky coastlines on cliffs, stacks and islands, in some areas on buildings or on flatter areas of shore and in others at inland lakes. Mainly coastal when not breeding but increasingly in urban areas and on farmland. Abundant at refuse-tips and around fishing harbours.
Breeds mainly along rocky coastlines on cliffs, stacks and islands, in some areas on buildings or on flatter areas of shore and in others at inland lakes. Mainly coastal when not breeding but increasingly in urban areas and on farmland. Abundant at refuse-tips and around fishing harbours.
==Behaviour==
==Behaviour==
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They are scavengers; they will also take eggs and young birds.
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They are colony nesters. 2-4 olive eggs are laid on the ground or cliff ledges and are incubated for 28-30 days.
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==References==
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Wikipedia
==External Links==
==External Links==
Bird Song <flashmp3>Larus argentatus (song).mp3</flashmp3><br />
Bird Song <flashmp3>Larus argentatus (song).mp3</flashmp3><br />
The most widespread and abundant of the larger gulls occurring in a number of races, and formerly including Yellow-legged, Armenian and related gulls which are now considered full species by most authorities.
The larger and paler North American form once considered race smithsonianus is now treated as a separate species, American Herring Gull.
Subspecies: Various races occur in the Region and typical representatives of races are often identifiable in the field, however, much intergradation occurs. Nominate argentatus breeds in in Scandinavia and northern Russia and smaller and slightly paler argenteus in Iceland and Faroes, British Isles and western France east to Germany.
Habitat
Breeds mainly along rocky coastlines on cliffs, stacks and islands, in some areas on buildings or on flatter areas of shore and in others at inland lakes. Mainly coastal when not breeding but increasingly in urban areas and on farmland. Abundant at refuse-tips and around fishing harbours.
Behaviour
They are scavengers; they will also take eggs and young birds.
They are colony nesters. 2-4 olive eggs are laid on the ground or cliff ledges and are incubated for 28-30 days.
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