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CoastalPlatform nestHuge · 1.6 kg
What the Great Black-backed Gull sounds like
ID tip
This 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. It is 64–79 cm (25–31 in) long with a 1.5–1.7 m (4 ft 11 in – 5 ft 7 in) wingspan and a body weight of 0.75–2.3 kg (1 lb 10 oz – 5 lb 1 oz). In a sample of 2009 adults from the North Atlantic, males were on average 1,830 g (4 lb 1⁄2 oz) and females were on average 1,488 g (3 lb 4+1⁄2 oz).
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
When to see the Great Black-backed Gull
One bar for each month, and every month is filled: this bird is recorded here in all twelve. The wide bar is January, the month with the most records.
Where to see the Great Black-backed Gull
The map shades 58 countries with regular records, and 7 more in a lighter tone where the bird turns up only as a stray. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.
Recorded as a rare visitor in Argentina, Mexico, Aruba, St. Barthélemy, Colombia, Martinique, U.S. Virgin Islands.
About the Great Black-backed Gull
The great black-backed gull is the largest member of the gull and tern family Laridae. It is a very aggressive hunter, pirate and scavenger which breeds on the North Atlantic coasts and islands of northern Europe and northeastern North America. Southern populations are generally sedentary, while those breeding in the far north migrate farther south in winter. A few also move inland to large lakes and reservoirs. The adult has a white head, neck and underparts, dark blackish-grey wings and back, pink legs and the bill yellow with a red spot.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Easily confused with
European Herring GullLarus argentatusThe 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).
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusThe lesser black-backed gull is smaller than the European herring gull.
Common GullLarus canusAdult 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.
Side by side: American Herring Gull vs Great Black-backed Gull · Great Black-backed Gull vs Lesser Black-backed Gull · European Herring Gull vs Great Black-backed Gull · Common Gull vs Great Black-backed Gull
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