Bird Guide

Iceland Gull vs Kelp Gull

Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides)

Iceland Gull

Larus glaucoides

Large693 gCoastal

The Iceland gull is a medium-sized gull, although relatively slender and light in weight. In length, it can measure from 50 to 64 cm (20 to 25 in), wingspan is from 115 to 150 cm (45 to 59 in), and weight is from 480 to 1,100 g (1.06 to 2.43 lb). Among standard measurements, the wing chord is 37.9 to 44.3 cm (14.9 to 17.4 in), the bill is 3.6 to 5.4 cm (1.4 to 2.1 in), and the tarsus is 4.9 to 6.7 cm (1.9 to 2.6 in). It is smaller and thinner-billed than the very large glaucous gull, and is usually smaller than the herring gull. It takes four years to reach maturity. Voice: The call is a "laughing" cry like the herring gull, but higher pitched.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: David McCorquodale · CC BY 4.0
Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus)

Kelp Gull

Larus dominicanus

Large952 gMarine

The kelp gull superficially resembles two gulls from further north in the Atlantic Ocean, the lesser black-backed gull and the great black-backed gull, and is intermediate in size between these two species. This species ranges from 54 to 65 cm (21 to 26 in) in total length, from 128 to 142 cm (50 to 56 in) in wingspan and from 540 to 1,390 g (1.19 to 3.06 lb) in weight. Adult males and females weigh on average 1,000 g (2.2 lb) and 900 g (2.0 lb) respectively. Among standard measurements, the wing chord is 37.3 to 44.8 cm (14.7 to 17.6 in), the bill is 4.4 to 5.9 cm (1.7 to 2.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: Kevin Guille · CC0
Photo: Arnim Littek · CC BY 4.0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Iceland Gull and Kelp Gull.