Key information
The yellow-legged gull has only recently been recognised as a species in its own right, having previously been considered to be a race of herring gull. Adults have darker grey backs and wings than herring gulls, but are paler than lesser black-backed gulls. They have more black in the wing tips than herring gulls and smaller white 'mirrors'. The legs are bright yellow, there is a red ring around the eye and the bill is yellow with a large red spot. In non-breeding plumage, the head is less streaked and whiter than herring gulls.
Juvenile yellow-legged gulls are very similar to juvenile lesser black-backed gulls, but tend to be whiter-headed and start to gain a grey 'saddle' on their backs quickly as they moult to first winter plumage.
Immature birds gain adult-like characteristics as they mature over the course of five years with the legs turning yellow and dark grey feathers replacing the brown and black immature feathers.
What they eat:
Ominivorous - a scavenger.
Measurements:
- Length:
- 55-67cm
Population:
- UK breeding:
- 1-4 pairs
- UK wintering:
- 1,100 birds
Identifying features:
This bird species has different identifying features depending on sex/age/season.
Yellow-legged gull (summer plumage)
Yellow-legged gull (first-winter plumage)
Yellow-legged gull (second-winter plumage)
