About the European Herring Gull
The European herring gull or simply herring gull is a large gull, up to 66 cm (26 in) long. It breeds throughout the northern and western coasts of Europe. Some European herring gulls, especially those resident in colder areas, migrate farther south in winter, but many are permanent residents, such as in Ireland, Britain, Iceland, or on the North Sea shores. They have a varied diet, including fish, crustaceans, as well as some plants, and are also scavengers, consuming carrion and food left by or stolen from humans.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The male European herring gull is 60–67 cm (24–26 in) long and weighs 1,050–1,525 g (2.315–3.362 lb), while the female is 55–62 cm (22–24 in) and weighs 710–1,100 g (1.57–2.43 lb). The wingspan can range from 125 to 155 cm (49 to 61 in). Among standard measurements, the wing chord is 38 to 48 cm (15 to 19 in), the bill is 4.4 to 6.5 cm (1.7 to 2.6 in) and the tarsus is 5.3 to 7.5 cm (2.1 to 3.0 in). Adults in breeding plumage have a light grey back and upper wings and white head and underparts. The wingtips are black with white spots known as "mirrors". Voice: Herring gulls are noisy, gregarious birds with distinctive vocalisations. Their loud, laughing call is particularly well known, and is often seen as a symbol of the seaside in countries such as the United Kingdom. The European herring gull also has a yelping alarm call and a low, barking anxiety call.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
What the European Herring Gull sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Colombia, Morocco, Luxembourg, Tunisia, Cyprus, Uganda, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, St. Martin.
When to see it
Peak activity in June · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusThe lesser black-backed gull is smaller than the European herring gull.
American Herring GullLarus smithsonianusThe herring gull is a heavily built large gull with a long powerful bill, full chest and sloping forehead.
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinusThis is the largest gull in the world, considerably larger than a herring gull (Larus argentatus); only two other gulls, glaucous gull (Larus hyperboreus) and Pallas's gull (Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus), come close to matching this species in size.
Side by side: European Herring Gull vs Ring-billed Gull · American Herring Gull vs European Herring Gull · European Herring Gull vs Lesser Black-backed Gull · European Herring Gull vs Great Black-backed Gull
Learn the European Herring Gull for real
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