Common Gull
Larus canus
The Common Gull (Larus canus) is a common skimmers, noddies, terns, and gull found in 79 countries, weighing about 413 g. The common gull is a gull that breeds in cool temperate regions of the Palearctic from Iceland and Scotland east to Kamchatka in the Russian Far East.
About the Common Gull
The common gull is a gull that breeds in cool temperate regions of the Palearctic from Iceland and Scotland east to Kamchatka in the Russian Far East. Most common gulls migrate further south in winter, reaching the Mediterranean Sea, the southern Caspian Sea, and the seas around China and Japan; northwest European populations are at least partly resident. The closely related short-billed gull was formerly often included in this species, which was then sometimes known collectively as "mew gull".
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
Adult common gulls are 40–46 cm (16–18 in) long and a wingspan of 100–115 cm (39–45 in), noticeably smaller than the herring gull and slightly smaller than the ring-billed gull. It is further distinguished from the ring-billed gull by its shorter, more tapered bill, which is a more greenish shade of yellow and is unmarked during the breeding season. The body is grey above and white below. The legs are yellow in breeding season, becoming duller in the winter.
What the Common Gull sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in India, Australia, Senegal, French Guiana, Tunisia, Syria, Gibraltar.
When to see it
The Common Gull can be seen all year round, with peak activity in June. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Common Gull?
- Adult common gulls are 40–46 cm (16–18 in) long and a wingspan of 100–115 cm (39–45 in), noticeably smaller than the herring gull and slightly smaller than the ring-billed gull. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Common Gull?
- The Common Gull is a large sized bird weighing about 413 g.
- Where can you see a Common Gull?
- The Common Gull occurs in 79 countries, including Sweden, Norway, the United Kingdom, Finland and Belgium.
- What does a Common Gull sound like?
- You can listen to 3 field recordings of the Common Gull on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Common Gull?
- The Common Gull is most easily confused with the California Gull, the Western Gull and the Yellow-legged Gull.
Learn the Common Gull for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
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