Little Gull
Hydrocoloeus minutus
The Little Gull (Hydrocoloeus minutus) is a common skimmers, noddies, terns, and gull found in 78 countries, weighing about 118 g. The little gull is a species of gull belonging to the family Laridae which is mainly found in the Palearctic with some small colonies in North America.
About the Little Gull
The little gull is a species of gull belonging to the family Laridae which is mainly found in the Palearctic with some small colonies in North America. It breeds on freshwater lakes and marshes, and spends winters at sea. It is the smallest species of gull in the world, and the only species in the monospecific genus Hydrocoloeus.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The little gull has a body length of 24 to 28 cm (9.4 to 11.0 in) and a wing span of 62 to 69 cm (24 to 27 in), making it the smallest gull species in the world. The adults in breeding plumage have a black hood, dark red bill, bright red legs, and sometimes a rosy flush to the underside. In non-breeding plumage the adults have a black cap and spot on the ear, white underparts, a black bill and the red on the legs is duller. In all plumages the adults have a pale grey back and upperwings with white primaries contrasting with very dark grey underwing.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Algeria, Mexico, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guatemala, St. Pierre & Miquelon, Luxembourg, Greenland.
When to see it
Best months: April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, with peak activity in May. It is a summer visitor species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Little Gull?
- The little gull has a body length of 24 to 28 cm (9.4 to 11.0 in) and a wing span of 62 to 69 cm (24 to 27 in), making it the smallest gull species in the world. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Little Gull?
- The Little Gull is a medium sized bird weighing about 118 g.
- Where can you see a Little Gull?
- The Little Gull occurs in 78 countries, including Sweden, the United Kingdom, Finland, the United States and Canada.
- What birds look similar to a Little Gull?
- The Little Gull is most easily confused with the Little Tern, the Greater Crested Tern and the Glaucous Gull.
- Is the Little Gull endangered?
- The Little Gull is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Little Gull for real
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