American Herring Gull
Larus smithsonianus
The American Herring Gull (Larus smithsonianus) is a common skimmers, noddies, terns, and gull found in 47 countries, weighing about 1.1 kg. The American herring gull, also known as the Arctic herring gull or Smithsonian gull, is a large gull that breeds in North America, where it is treated by the American Ornithological Society as a subspecies of herring gull.
About the American Herring Gull
The American herring gull, also known as the Arctic herring gull or Smithsonian gull, is a large gull that breeds in North America, where it is treated by the American Ornithological Society as a subspecies of herring gull.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The herring gull is a heavily built large gull with a long powerful bill, full chest and sloping forehead. Males are 60–66 cm (24–26 in) long and weigh 1,050–1,650 g (2.31–3.64 lb). Females are 53–62 cm (21–24 in) long and weigh 600–900 g (1.3–2.0 lb). The wingspan is 120 to 155 cm (47 to 61 in). Among standard measurements, the wing chord is 41.2 to 46.8 cm (16.2 to 18.4 in), the bill is 4.4 to 6.2 cm (1.7 to 2.4 in) and the tarsus is 5.5 to 7.6 cm (2.2 to 3.0 in). Breeding adults have a white head, rump, tail, and underparts and a pale gray back and upperwings. Voice: It has no song but possesses a variety of cries and calls. An initial call in response to a threat is a quick "hahaha", varying in intensity depending on the threat. The more-intense "keow" is a loud yet short alarm call that is both identifying and communicative of impending danger. The "long call" is a series of loud notes during which the head is dipped and then raised.
What the American Herring Gull sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in France, Taiwan, Martinique, St. Martin, Barbados, St. Barthélemy, St. Kitts & Nevis, South Korea, Sweden.
When to see it
The American Herring Gull can be seen all year round, with peak activity in January. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify an American Herring Gull?
- The herring gull is a heavily built large gull with a long powerful bill, full chest and sloping forehead. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is an American Herring Gull?
- The American Herring Gull is a large sized bird weighing about 1.1 kg.
- Where can you see an American Herring Gull?
- The American Herring Gull occurs in 47 countries, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and St. Pierre & Miquelon.
- What does an American Herring Gull sound like?
- You can listen to 2 field recordings of the American Herring Gull on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to an American Herring Gull?
- The American Herring Gull is most easily confused with the Lesser Black-backed Gull, the European Herring Gull and the Great Black-backed Gull.
Learn the American Herring Gull for real
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