• Welcome to BirdForum, the internet's largest birding community with thousands of members from all over the world. The forums are dedicated to wild birds, birding, binoculars and equipment and all that goes with it.

    Please register for an account to take part in the discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.
ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

Difference between revisions of "Common Gull" - BirdForum Opus

Page Discussion
View source History
(merge w Larus brachyrhynchus)
 
(29 intermediate revisions by 10 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
−
;Larus canus
+
[[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]]
−
[[Image:Common_Gull.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by Rob Van Keulen]]
+
;[[:Category:Larus|Larus]] canus
−
AKA Common Gull
+
==Identification==
 +
[[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]]
 +
Length 40–46 cm (15¾-18 in), wingspan 100-130 cm, weight 300-550 g [Common Gull ''L. c. canus''; see Subspecies, below, for other subspp.]<br />
 +
A fairly small white-headed gull, with small yellow bill, petite looks, medium-grey mantle, 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 white tail with black terminal band; 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 whiter belly and black primaries.
  
−
==Identification==
 
−
Adult Common Gulls are grey above and white below. Their legs are greenish. They have black wing-tips with large white "mirrors", particularly in American birds. Young birds have scaly black-brown upperparts and a neat wing pattern. They take three years to reach maturity. The call is a high-pitched "laughing" cry
 
 
==Distribution==
 
==Distribution==
−
The Mew Gull , Larus canus is a medium-sized gull which breeds in the northwest of [[North America]], [[Europe]] and [[Asia]] (where it is called Common Gull). It migrates further south in winter.
+
Breeds in northern [[Europe]], northern [[Asia]], and northwestern [[North America]]; migrates south during the winter. See subspecies, below, for detail.
 +
 
 
==Taxonomy==
 
==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 authotiry to recognize the split of Mew Gull from Common Gull was the 1996 installment of Sibley and Monroe.
+
Its closest relative is [[Short-billed Gull]] (previously treated as a subspecies), then [[Ring-billed Gull]], and then the entire [[Herring Gull]] complex of large white-headed gulls.
 +
====Subspecies====
 +
[[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]]
 +
Subdivided into three subspecies<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup><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]], and west to the Atlantic coast of North America. 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. Population not known, but common in central Europe in winter.
 +
*''L. c. kamtschatschensis'' '''Kamchatka Gull'''. Breeds in north-eastern Siberia; winters western Pacific in [[Japan]], [[Korea]], northeastern [[China]], and far southeastern [[Russia]] (Vladivostok area). Length to 45 cm, weight to 600 g. As ''L. c. heinei'', but larger, with a longer, heavier bill and more angular head; 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>.
 +
 
 +
[[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]]
  
−
This species is subdivided into four subspecies: ''canus'' is the form familiar to people in [[Britain]] and [[Europe]]; ''heinei'' is breeding 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==
 
==Habitat==
−
This species breeds colonially near water or in marshes, making a lined nest on the ground or in a tree.
+
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 long distances (up to 20-30 km) every evening to roost at sea or on large lakes and reservoirs.
 +
 
 
==Behaviour==
 
==Behaviour==
−
Like most Larus gulls, they are omnivores and will scavenge as well as hunt small prey.
+
====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====
 +
{{ Audio|Larus canus (song).mp3 }}
 +
 
 +
==Gallery==
 +
Click on photo for larger image
 +
<gallery>
 +
Image:Larus canus canus 1stw by tacumshin.jpg|Common Gull ''L. c. canus'', first winter<br />Photo by {{user|tacumshin|tacumshin}}<br />Kilmore, [[Ireland]], February 2012
 +
Image:IMG 35761.JPG|1st Winter, subspecies ''canus''<br />Photo by {{user|G6+UXU|G6 UXU}}<br />Preston Docks, [[Lancashire]], March 2018
 +
Image:Larus canus brachyrhynchus juvs by Doc Duck.jpg|Mew Gull ''L. c. brachyrhynchus'', juveniles<br />Photo by {{user|Doc+Duck|Doc Duck}}<br />Anchorage, [[Alaska]], [[USA]], August 2014
 +
</gallery>
 +
 
 +
==References==
 +
#{{Ref-Clements6thAug21}}#Olsen, K. M., & Larsson, H. (2003). ''Gulls of Europe, Asia and North America''. Helm ISBN 978-0-7136-7087-5
 +
#{{Ref-SibleyMonroe96}}#Adriaens, P., & Gibbins, C. (2016). Identification of the ''Larus canus'' complex. ''Dutch Birding'' 38 (1): 1–64.
 +
{{ref}}
  
−
==Bird Song==
 
−
<flashmp3>Larus canus (song).mp3</flashmp3><br />
 
−
''[[Media:Larus canus (song).mp3|Listen in an external program]]''
 
 
==External Links==
 
==External Links==
−
{{GSearch|Larus+canus}}
+
{{GSearch|"Larus canus" {{!}} "common gull"}}
−
[[Category:Birds]]
+
{{GS-checked}}1
 +
<br />
 +
<br />
 +
 
 +
[[Category:Birds]][[Category:Larus]][[Category:Bird Songs]]

Latest revision as of 16:08, 27 May 2023

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

Identification

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

Length 40–46 cm (15¾-18 in), wingspan 100-130 cm, weight 300-550 g [Common Gull L. c. canus; see Subspecies, below, for other subspp.]
A fairly small white-headed gull, with small yellow bill, petite looks, medium-grey mantle, 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 white tail with black terminal band; 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 whiter belly and black primaries.

Distribution

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

Taxonomy

Its closest relative is Short-billed Gull (previously treated as a subspecies), then Ring-billed Gull, and then the entire Herring Gull complex of large white-headed gulls.

Subspecies

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

Subdivided into three subspecies[1][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, and west to the Atlantic coast of North America. 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. Population not known, but common in central Europe in winter.
  • L. c. kamtschatschensis Kamchatka Gull. Breeds in north-eastern Siberia; winters western Pacific in Japan, Korea, northeastern China, and far southeastern Russia (Vladivostok area). Length to 45 cm, weight to 600 g. As L. c. heinei, but larger, with a longer, heavier bill and more angular head; 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].
Common Gull L. c. canus, juvenile
Photo by Bobby65
Leksand, Sweden; August 2005

Habitat

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 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

Gallery

Click on photo for larger image

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

  • 1st Winter, subspecies canus
    Photo by G6 UXU
    Preston Docks, Lancashire, March 2018

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

References

  1. Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, S. M. Billerman, T. A. Fredericks, J. A. Gerbracht, D. Lepage, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2021. The eBird/Clements checklist of Birds of the World: v2021. Downloaded from https://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
  2. Olsen, K. M., & Larsson, H. (2003). Gulls of Europe, Asia and North America. Helm ISBN 978-0-7136-7087-5
  3. Sibley, CG and BL Monroe. 1996. Birds of the World, on diskette, Windows version 2.0. Charles G. Sibley, Santa Rosa, CA, USA.
  4. Adriaens, P., & Gibbins, C. (2016). Identification of the Larus canus complex. Dutch Birding 38 (1): 1–64.

Recommended Citation

External Links

GSearch checked for 2020 platform.1

Retrieved from ‘https://www.birdforum.net/wiki/index.php?title=Common_Gull&oldid=264876’
Back
Top