How to identify

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.

Call

Great Black-backed Gull

Stuart Fisher / xeno-canto

Gulls and the law: What to do if gulls nest on your roof

Did you know that there is more than one type of ‘seagull’? In fact, there are around 50 species worldwide and six types which commonly breed in the UK! Perhaps you have that noticed that not all of them are seen by the sea? 

Key

  1. Resident
  2. Passage
  3. Summer
  4. Winter
* This map is intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.
  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

Key facts