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Birds by name

Great black-backed gull

Conservation status: Amber

A very large, thick-set black-backed gull, with a powerful beak. Adults are blacker than the smaller lesser black-backed gull. It has a heavy flight and can look quite hunched when perched. It will fight off other gulls and chase them to snatch food.

Overview

Latin name

Larus marinus

Family

Gulls (Laridae)

Where to see them

Found around the coasts in the breeding season. At other times of year it can be found wherever gulls congregate - at reservoir roosts, rubbish tips inland, and bays and harbours.

When to see them

All year round - found inland most in winter.

What they eat

Omnivorous - shellfish, birds and carrion.

Population

EuropeUK breeding*UK wintering*UK passage*
-17,160 pairs76,000 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

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

Illustrations

Audio

Stuart Fisher, Xeno-canto

Characteristics

Great black-backed gull (breeding)

Great black-backed gull - adult
  • Size: bigger than mallard
  • Feather colours: black, white, grey
  • Beak colours: yellow, red/pink
  • Beak length: medium
  • Beak thickness: medium
  • Beak shape: medium
  • Leg colour: pink/flesh
  • Behaviour: part of flock, on ground, bird walks/runs on the ground, eats birds/chicks/eggs

Great black-backed gull (first-winter)

Great black-backed gull - juvenile
  • Size: bigger than mallard
  • Feather colours: brown, black, white, grey, cream/buff
  • Beak colours: black/dark grey
  • Beak length: medium
  • Beak thickness: medium
  • Beak shape: medium
  • Leg colour: pink/flesh
  • Behaviour: part of flock, on ground, bird walks/runs on the ground, eats birds/chicks/eggs

Great black-backed gull (second-winter)

Great black-backed gull - second-winter
  • Size: bigger than mallard
  • Feather colours: brown, black, white, grey, cream/buff
  • Beak colours: black/dark grey, brown/buff, red/pink
  • Beak length: medium
  • Beak thickness: medium
  • Beak shape: medium
  • Leg colour: pink/flesh
  • Behaviour: part of flock, on ground, bird walks/runs on the ground, eats birds/chicks/eggs

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