Page 213 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

SKUAS, GULLS,AND TERNS
Order Charadriiformes Family Laridae Species Larus fuscus
Lesser Black-backed Gull

black wingtips with one white densely streaked
white primary spot head grey-brown head
dark grey band yellow
on underwings bill with slaty grey
red spot back
ADULT ADULT
(WINTER) (SUMMER)
bright
yellow
legs
IN FLIGHT
black bill
mottled, dark
brown body
ADULT
dull yellow
back turns legs (WINTER)
dark grey
IMMATURE
(1ST YEAR)
IMMATURE
long wingtips
(2ND YEAR)
n summer, this is a remarkably handsome gull, immaculate in slate-
Igrey and pure white with vivid yellow legs and bill. It has the same FLIGHT: majestic, gliding, soaring; direct flight
basic pattern as other “white-headed” gulls, with black and white powerful with regular beats.
wingtips.The black areas have extra pigment that strengthens them,
while the white spots are weak and disappear as the feathers become old and worn.
The Lesser Black-backed Gull used to be a summer visitor to west Europe, but has
established large wintering populations inland. Nevertheless, it remains a strong
migrant and can often be seen in spring and autumn,
high overhead, flying over land. SUBSPECIES
VOICE Deep,throaty,wailing calls,various barks,yelps, L. f. intermedius
kyow, kyow-yow-yow, ga-ga-ga. (Netherlands)
NESTING Pile of grass on ground; 2 or 3 eggs; darker grey
1 brood; May. back
FEEDING Takes fish, worms, molluscs, and
edible refuse; feeds on seabirds in summer. HANDSOME ADULT
REMARK Subspecies L.f.graellsii (NW Europe) is palest In spring, this is one of the most
above;L.f.fuscus (Scandinavia) is smaller,blacker,white- immaculate of European gulls,
headed all year,long-winged,and more marine. with a vivid bill and leg colours.
SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRENCE
Breeds on cliffs, islands, moorland,
HERRING GULL immature, similar YELLOW-LEGGED GULL and rooftops in N and NW Europe.
to immature; pale sharper black wingtips;
patch on wings; see p.210 In winter, at tips and reservoirs, on
see p.209 paler back beaches, and often on farmland;
most migrate south to Africa but
many remain in W Europe. Parties
often fly high over land in spring.
Seen in the UK
J F M A M JJ A S O N D
Length 52–67cm (20 1 ⁄2 –26in) Wingspan 1.28–1.48m (4 1 ⁄4 –4 3 ⁄4ft) Weight 650–1,000g (23–36oz)
Social Large flocks Lifespan 10–15 years Status Secure
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