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Birds by name

Common gull

Conservation status: Amber

It looks like a small, gentler version of the herring gull, with greenish legs and a yellow bill. Despite its name, it is not at all common in some inland areas, though often abundant on the coast and in some eastern counties. They are now seen more often in towns and on housing estates in winter.

Overview

Latin name

Larus canus

Family

Gulls (Laridae)

Where to see them

In summer look along coasts and inland marshes and lakes of Scotland, N Ireland and N England. Elsewhere in England and Wales seen in winter on farmland, near lakes and marshes and on the coast.

When to see them

All year round.

What they eat

Worms, insects, fish, carrion and rubbish.

Population

EuropeUK breeding*UK wintering*UK passage*
-48,720 pairs700,000 birds-

* UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn.

Distribution

Key

In the UK
All UK

Please note that the map is only intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.

Illustrations

Audio

Niels Krabbe, Xeno-canto

Characteristics

Common gull (winter)

Common gull - adult in non-breeding plumage
  • Size: between pigeon-mallard
  • Feather colours: brown, black, white, grey
  • Beak colours: black/dark grey, yellow, greenish, red/pink
  • Beak length: medium
  • Beak thickness: medium
  • Leg colour: green, yellow
  • Behaviour: part of flock, on ground, bird walks/runs on the ground

Common gull (breeding)

Common gull - adult in breeding plumage
  • Size: between pigeon-mallard
  • Feather colours: black, white, grey
  • Beak colours: black/dark grey, yellow, greenish, red/pink
  • Beak length: medium
  • Beak thickness: medium
  • Leg colour: green, yellow
  • Behaviour: part of flock, on ground, bird walks/runs on the ground, eats birds/chicks/eggs

Common gull (first-winter)

Common gull - first-winter
  • Size: between pigeon-mallard
  • Feather colours: black, white, grey
  • Beak colours: black/dark grey, yellow, greenish, red/pink
  • Beak length: medium
  • Beak thickness: medium
  • Leg colour: green, yellow
  • Behaviour: part of flock, on ground, bird walks/runs on the ground, eats birds/chicks/eggs

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