adult summer

adult summer adult winter European distribution Adult at rest

Identification

The Common Gull is most likely to be mistaken for a Herring Gull but notice that it is much smaller with altogether more delicate features, including the fine bill which lacks a red spot. It also has greenish legs and a darker grey back than most Herring Gulls. In flight the black in the primaries makes a more extensive wedge with bolder neater white blobs near the tips. Immature Common Gulls in flight have a conspicuous black wedge on the leading edge of the primaries.

Habitat

Breeds on moorland and lochs. Winters on estuaries, lakes, reservoirs and coasts.

Behaviour

Common Gulls often try to obtain their food by snatching it from other birds such as Lapwings, a behaviour known as klepto-parasitism.

Migration

Most of the population winters around the western coasts of Europe down to Brittany although some go as far as the Mediterranean. Most Scandinavian birds winter in the countries around the North Sea. At least some Irish birds migrate eastwards into Britain or Holland.

This information is taken from the BirdFile on the appropriate BirdGuides DVD-ROM. As well as video and sounds, our CD- and DVD-ROMs contain additional text on Voice, Sexing, Ageing, Food, Nests and Eggs and more.

For the purposes of our bird news services, Common Gull is classed as Common: common species, including species that are certain or probable escapees from captivity when occurring in the British Isles. (Note that rarity levels are currently applied nationally and may not reflect local variations in abundance.)

Flamboro Hd, E Yorks 24/07/2010	Druridge Pools, Northumbs 23/07/2010	Druridge Pools, Northumbs 23/07/2010	Belfast Lough RSPB, Antrim 13/07/2010	Tresta, Fetlar, Shetland 14/06/2010
Lamlash, Arran, Clyde Is. 26/06/2010	Lamlash, Arran, Clyde Is. 26/06/2010	Clauchlands Pt, Arran, Clyde Is. 30/06/2010	Loch na Keal, Mull, Argyll 07/06/2010	Loch na Keal, Mull, Argyll 07/06/2010

 View all pictures of Common Gull

Common Gull breeds in the following countries (Bird News Extra subscribers will see population statistics and information on trends for each country):

Austria
Belarus
Belgium
Britain
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Faroe Islands
Finland
France
Germany
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Latvia
Lithuania
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Russia
Slovakia
Svalbard
Sweden
Switzerland
Ukraine

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