Difference between revisions of "Common Gull" - BirdForum Opus

Revision as of 16:08, 13 November 2014

Common Gull L. c. canus, adult summer pair
Photo by mikemik
Sweden, June 2006

Includes: Common Gull

Larus canus

Identification

Common Gull L. c. canus, showing wing pattern
Photo by Doc Duck
Trondheim, Norway, June 2013

A fairly small white-headed gull, with small yellow bill, petite looks, broad white crescents on back, round head, white primary tips show well when standing, and usually dark brown iris. In winter, the head is lightly streaked with dark grey, and the bill often has a narrow dusky to diffuse black band. Juvenile to first summer have brownish-black primaries; head and body brown to whitish, often heavily streaked; mantle brown in juvenile, grey by first winter.

Similar Species

Ring-billed Gull is slightly larger with slightly lighter back, pale yellow iris, thicker bill with broad solid black ring, narrower white crescents on back, and less white on the primary tips. Juveniles have contrasting white belly and black primaries.

Distribution

Kamchatka Gull L. c. kamtschatschensis, adult winter
Photo by DaninJapan
Shimoda-Machi, Aomori-Ken, Japan; February 2005

Breeds in northern Europe, northern Asia, and northwestern North America; migrates south during the winter. See subspecies, below, for detail.

Taxonomy

Mew Gull L. c. brachyrhynchus, adult summer
Photo by bobsofpa
Denali National Park, Alaska, USA, July 2013

Its closest relative is Ring-billed Gull, and secondarily to the entire Herring Gull complex of large white-headed gulls.

Subspecies

Subdivided into four subspecies^[1], one of which probably better treated as a separate species^[2]:

L. c. canus Common Gull. Abundant breeding species in northern Europe (Iceland, northwestern Ireland, Scotland, Netherlands, northern Germany, Scandinavia, Finland, Poland, the Baltic States, and Russia east to about 40°E longitude; wintering south and west to Ireland, Britain, France and northern Germany; small numbers as far south as Morocco. Abundant, with a population of around 500,000 pairs; after Black-headed Gull the commonest gull wintering in Britain, with 700,000 birds, with a northern bias.
L. c. heinei Siberian Common Gull. Breeds in Russia and Kazakhstan from around 40°E to around 140°E longitude; wintering mainly in central Europe, the eastern Mediterranean, Black Sea, and southern Caspian Sea, though a few also west to Britain, and east with L. c. kamtschatschensis to the western Pacific. As L. c. canus, but mantle slightly darker.
L. c. kamtschatschensis Kamchatka Gull. Breeds in north-eastern Siberia; winters western Pacific in Japan, Korea, northeastern China, and far southeastern Russia (Vladivostok area). As L. c. heinei, but larger, with a heavier bill; legs brighter yellow; iris often light brown in adults; size suggests a transition to Ring-billed Gull rather than Mew Gull^[2]. Population not known, but common in Japan in winter.

The above three subspecies are weakly defined, with broad zones of intergradation where they meet^[2].

L. c. brachyrhynchus Mew Gull (has also been called Short-billed Gull). Breeds in Alaska and western Canada; winters along west coast of North America from Alaska south to Baja California. Adult plumage similar to L. c. canus but with less black on wingtips, head more heavily streaked and bill with less black smudging in winter; iris mid brown, sometimes yellowish. Structure differs more, with longer wings and more rounded head, and bill shorter and weaker. Juvenile plumage markedly different, with uniform dusky brown head and underside, and brown wings. A scarce taxon, with a population of little over 10,000 pairs^[2].

Common Gull L. c. canus, juvenile
Photo by Bobby65
Leksand, Sweden; August 2005

The once-split subspecies L. c. brachyrhynchus has now again been lumped with Larus canus^[1]. The common name Mew Gull is recommended by all the major taxonomic authorities for the merged species, despite this not being the name of the nominate subspecies, and being far less widespread and abundant than Common Gull. The species continues to be known as Common Gull in Europe and Asia. The only world-wide authority to recognise the split of Mew Gull from Common Gull was the 1996 installment of Sibley and Monroe^[3], though they are also treated as separate species in Olsen & Larsson's monograph (2003)^[2], a trend likely to increase again in the future.

Habitat

Common Gull L. c. canus, first winter
Photo by tacumshin
Kilmore, Ireland; February 2012

Mew Gull L. c. brachyrhynchus, juveniles
Photo by Doc Duck
Anchorage, Alaska, USA; August 2014

Natural habitat by lakes and marshes in the breeding season and along coasts in winter; within last century or so has become strongly adapted to human commensalism, feeding on ploughed fields, meadows, and sports grounds, or in streets on human-supplied food, and using roofs in urban areas (particularly industrial estates) to nest and rest. Outside of the breeding season, often flies often long distances (up to 20-30 km) every evening to roost at sea or on large lakes and reservoirs.

Behaviour

Diet

Omnivorous. They scavenge as well as hunt small prey.

Breeding

They make a lined nest on the ground on islets in wetlands or on moorland, on large buildings (flat-roofed factories), or rarely, in a tree.

Vocalisation

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

References

Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2014. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: Version 6.9., with updates to August 2014. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
Olsen, K. M., & Larsson, H. (2003). Gulls of Europe, Asia and North America. Helm ISBN 978-0-7136-7087-5
Sibley, CG and BL Monroe. 1996. Birds of the World, on diskette, Windows version 2.0. Charles G. Sibley, Santa Rosa, CA, USA.

List of references

Recommended Citation

BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Common Gull. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 25 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Common_Gull

External Links

Search for photos of Common Gull in the gallery

Search for videos of Common Gull on BirdForum TV

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''Alternative name: Common Gull'''[[Image:Common_Gull.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by {{user|Rob+Van+Keulen|Rob Van Keulen}}]]
+[[Image:Larus canus canus by mikemik.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Common Gull ''L. c. canus'', adult summer pair<br>Photo by {{user|mikemik|mikemik}}<br>[[Sweden]], June 2006]]
+'''Includes: Common Gull'''
 ;[[:Category:Larus|Larus]] canus
 ==Identification==
-A fairly small white-headed gull, slightly smaller than [[Ring-billed Gull]] with small bill, petite looks, broad white crescents on back, round head, many white primary tips show when standing, and dark eye. Young birds have uniform black-brown upperparts. Juvenile to 1st summer have brownish primaries.
+[[Image:Larus canus canus by Doc Duck.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Common Gull ''L. c. canus'', showing wing pattern<br>Photo by {{user|Doc+Duck|Doc Duck}}<br>Trondheim, [[Norway]], June 2013]]
-American subspecies ''brachyrhynchus'' has slightly darker grey back, often dark markings on tail and tertials, and slightly larger bill.
+A fairly small white-headed gull, with small yellow bill, petite looks, broad white crescents on back, round head, white primary tips show well when standing, and usually dark brown iris. In winter, the head is lightly streaked with dark grey, and the bill often has a narrow dusky to diffuse black band. Juvenile to first summer have brownish-black primaries; head and body brown to whitish, often heavily streaked; mantle brown in juvenile, grey by first winter.
 ====Similar Species====
-[[Ring-billed Gull]] is slightly larger with slightly lighter back, pale eye, thicker bill with broad black ring, faint white crescents on back, and less white primary tips. Juveniles have contrasting white belly and black primaries.
+[[Ring-billed Gull]] is slightly larger with slightly lighter back, pale yellow iris, thicker bill with broad solid black ring, narrower white crescents on back, and less white on the primary tips. Juveniles have contrasting white belly and black primaries.
 ==Distribution==
-Breeds in north-western [[North America]], [[Europe]] and [[Asia]] (where it is called Common Gull).<br />
+[[Image:Larus canus kamtschatschensis by DaninJapan.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Kamchatka Gull ''L. c. kamtschatschensis'', adult winter<br>Photo by {{user|DaninJapan|DaninJapan}}<br>Shimoda-Machi, Aomori-Ken, [[Japan]]; February 2005]]
+Breeds in northern [[Europe]], northern [[Asia]], and northwestern [[North America]]; migrates south during the winter. See subspecies, below, for detail.
-They migrate south during the winter.
 ==Taxonomy==
-Please notice that the once-split subspecies ''brachyrhynchus'' (the new world form) has now again been lumped with ''Larus canus''. The common name Mew Gull is recommended by all the major taxonomic authorities for the merged species, even though this species continues to be known as Common Gull in [[Europe]]. The only world-wide authority to recognize the split of Mew Gull from Common Gull was the 1996 installment of Sibley and Monroe.
+[[Image:Larus canus brachyrhynchus by bobsofpa.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Mew Gull ''L. c. brachyrhynchus'', adult summer<br>Photo by {{user|bobsofpa|bobsofpa}}<br>Denali National Park, [[Alaska]], [[USA]], July 2013]]
+Its closest relative is [[Ring-billed Gull]], and secondarily to the entire [[Herring Gull]] complex of large white-headed gulls.
+====Subspecies====
+Subdivided into four subspecies<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>, one of which probably better treated as a separate species<sup>[[#References|[2]]]</sup>:
+*''L. c. canus'' '''Common Gull'''. Abundant breeding species in northern [[Europe]] ([[Iceland]], northwestern [[Ireland]], [[Scotland]], [[Netherlands]], northern [[Germany]], [[Scandinavia]], [[Finland]], [[Poland]], the [[Baltic]] States, and [[Russia]] east to about 40°E longitude; wintering south and west to [[Ireland]], [[Britain]], [[France]] and northern [[Germany]]; small numbers as far south as [[Morocco]]. Abundant, with a population of around 500,000 pairs; after [[Black-headed Gull]] the commonest gull wintering in [[Britain]], with 700,000 birds, with a northern bias.
+*''L. c. heinei'' '''Siberian Common Gull'''. Breeds in [[Russia]] and [[Kazakhstan]] from around 40°E to around 140°E longitude; wintering mainly in central Europe, the eastern Mediterranean, Black Sea, and southern Caspian Sea, though a few also west to Britain, and east with ''L. c. kamtschatschensis'' to the western Pacific. As ''L. c. canus'', but mantle slightly darker.
+*''L. c. kamtschatschensis'' '''Kamchatka Gull'''. Breeds in north-eastern Siberia; winters western Pacific in [[Japan]], [[Korea]], northeastern [[China]], and far southeastern [[Russia]] (Vladivostok area). As ''L. c. heinei'', but larger, with a heavier bill; legs brighter yellow; iris often light brown in adults; size suggests a transition to [[Ring-billed Gull]] rather than Mew Gull<sup>[[#References|[2]]]</sup>. Population not known, but common in Japan in winter.
+:The above three subspecies are weakly defined, with broad zones of intergradation where they meet<sup>[[#References|[2]]]</sup>.
+*''L. c. brachyrhynchus'' '''Mew Gull''' (has also been called Short-billed Gull). Breeds in [[Alaska]] and western [[Canada]]; winters along west coast of North America from Alaska south to [[Baja California]]. Adult plumage similar to ''L. c. canus'' but with less black on wingtips, head more heavily streaked and bill with less black smudging in winter; iris mid brown, sometimes yellowish. Structure differs more, with longer wings and more rounded head, and bill shorter and weaker. Juvenile plumage markedly different, with uniform dusky brown head and underside, and brown wings. A scarce taxon, with a population of little over 10,000 pairs<sup>[[#References|[2]]]</sup>.
+[[Image:Larus canus canus juv by Bobby65.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Common Gull ''L. c. canus'', juvenile<br>Photo by {{user|Bobby65|Bobby65}}<br>Leksand, [[Sweden]]; August 2005]]
+The once-split subspecies ''L. c. brachyrhynchus'' has now again been lumped with ''Larus canus''<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>. The common name Mew Gull is recommended by all the major taxonomic authorities for the merged species, despite this not being the name of the nominate subspecies, and being far less widespread and abundant than Common Gull. The species continues to be known as Common Gull in [[Europe]] and [[Asia]]. The only world-wide authority to recognise the split of Mew Gull from Common Gull was the 1996 installment of Sibley and Monroe<sup>[[#References|[3]]]</sup>, though they are also treated as separate species in Olsen & Larsson's monograph (2003)<sup>[[#References|[2]]]</sup>, a trend likely to increase again in the future.
-This species is subdivided into four subspecies: ''canus'' is the form familiar to people in [[Britain]] and [[Europe]]; ''heinei'' breeds in [[Russia]] and large parts of [[Siberia]]; ''kamptschatschensis'' in north-eastern Siberia; and ''brachyrhynchus'' in [[Alaska]] and western [[Canada]] (this form has also been called Short-billed Gull).
 ==Habitat==
-Near water or in marshes will also go on lawns and roofs nearby by cities and suburbs.
+[[Image:Larus canus canus 1stw by tacumshin.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Common Gull ''L. c. canus'', first winter<br>Photo by {{user|tacumshin|tacumshin}}<br>Kilmore, [[Ireland]]; February 2012]]
+[[Image:Larus canus brachyrhynchus juvs by Doc Duck.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Mew Gull ''L. c. brachyrhynchus'', juveniles<br>Photo by {{user|Doc+Duck|Doc Duck}}<br>Anchorage, [[Alaska]], [[USA]]; August 2014]]
+Natural habitat by lakes and marshes in the breeding season and along coasts in winter; within last century or so has become strongly adapted to human commensalism, feeding on ploughed fields, meadows, and sports grounds, or in streets on human-supplied food, and using roofs in urban areas (particularly industrial estates) to nest and rest. Outside of the breeding season, often flies often long distances (up to 20-30 km) every evening to roost at sea or on large lakes and reservoirs.
 ==Behaviour==
@@ Line 21: / Line 36: @@
 Omnivorous. They scavenge as well as hunt small prey.
 ====Breeding====
-They make a lined nest on the ground or in a tree.
+They make a lined nest on the ground on islets in wetlands or on moorland, on large buildings (flat-roofed factories), or rarely, in a tree.
 ====Vocalisation====
 <flashmp3>Larus canus (song).mp3</flashmp3><br />
 ''[[Media:Larus canus (song).mp3|Listen in an external program]]''
+==References==
+#{{Ref-Clements6thAug14}}#Olsen, K. M., & Larsson, H. (2003). ''Gulls of Europe, Asia and North America''. Helm ISBN 978-0-7136-7087-5
+#{{Ref-SibleyMonroe96}}
+{{ref}}
 ==External Links==
 {{GSearch|Larus_canus}}