Key information
Herring gulls are large, noisy gulls found throughout the year around our coasts and inland around rubbish tips, fields, large reservoirs and lakes, especially during winter.
Adults have light grey backs, white under parts, and black wing tips with white 'mirrors'. Their legs are pink, with webbed feet and they have heavy, slightly hooked bills marked with a red spot. Young birds are mottled brown.
This species is on the red list due to ongoing population declines and wintering population declines.
What they eat:
Ominivorous- carrion, offal, seeds, fruits, young birds, eggs, small mammals, insects and fish.
Measurements:
- Length:
- 54-60cm
- Wingspan:
- 130-150cm
- Weight:
- 690-1440g
Population:
- UK breeding:
- 140,000 pairs
- UK wintering:
- 740,000 birds
Identifying features:
This bird species has different identifying features depending on sex/age/season.
Herring gull
Herring gull (first-winter plumage)
Herring gull (second-winter plumage)
