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| + | [[Image:Herring_Gull.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by Robert Scanlon]] | ||
;[[:Category:Larus|Larus]] argentatus | ;[[:Category:Larus|Larus]] argentatus | ||
| − | |||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
| − | + | 55-66cm. | |
| + | '''Breeding Adult''' | ||
| + | *Grey back and upperwings | ||
| + | *White head | ||
| + | *White below | ||
| + | *Black wing tips with white spots | ||
| + | *Bare yellow eye ring | ||
| + | *Yellow bill with red spot | ||
| + | *Pink legs | ||
| + | '''Non Breeding Adult''' | ||
| + | *Brown streaks on head and neck | ||
| + | '''Juvenile''' | ||
| + | *Brown with dark streaks | ||
| + | *Dark bill | ||
| + | *Dark iris | ||
| + | '''Second-winter bird''' | ||
| + | *Whiter head and underparts | ||
| + | *Grey back | ||
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
| − | 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. | + | 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]]. |
| − | Mainly resident or dispersive, except in north Norway, the Baltic, Finland and northern Russia where migratory.<br/> | + | 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/> | ||
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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. | ||
| + | |||
==Habitat== | ==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== | ||
| + | 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. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==References== | ||
| + | Wikipedia | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
Bird Song <flashmp3>Larus argentatus (song).mp3</flashmp3><br /> | Bird Song <flashmp3>Larus argentatus (song).mp3</flashmp3><br /> | ||
Revision as of 15:43, 31 March 2009
- Larus argentatus
Identification
55-66cm. Breeding Adult
- Grey back and upperwings
- White head
- White below
- Black wing tips with white spots
- Bare yellow eye ring
- Yellow bill with red spot
- Pink legs
Non Breeding Adult
- Brown streaks on head and neck
Juvenile
- Brown with dark streaks
- Dark bill
- Dark iris
Second-winter bird
- Whiter head and underparts
- Grey back
Distribution
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.
Mainly resident or dispersive, except in north Norway, the Baltic, Finland and northern Russia where migratory.
Widespread in winter in Western and Central Europe.
Has bred on Svalbard and Bear Island.
Occasionally hybridises with other species, eg Lesser Black-back, and particularly Glaucous Gull in Iceland.
Taxonomy
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.
References
Wikipedia
External Links
Bird Song <flashmp3>Larus argentatus (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program
