Alternative name: Common Gull
- 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. American subspecies brachyrhynchus has slightly darker grey back, often dark markings on tail and tertials, and slightly larger bill.
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.
Distribution
North America, Europe and Asia.
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.
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.
Behaviour
They scavenge as well as hunt small prey.
They make a lined nest on the ground or in a tree.
Vocalisation
<flashmp3>Larus canus (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program
