adult summer

adult summer adult winter European distribution Adult swimmatureing

Identification

Adult birds are most similar to Great Black-backed Gulls but they are smaller, and less powerful and their dark grey backs are a few shades paler than the black in their wing-tips. In Scandinavia, however, the Lesser Black-backs have darker backs and must therefore be distinguished by their smaller size, yellow legs and the relatively tiny amount of white in the tips of the wings. The immature birds are most likely to be confused with Herring Gulls especially during their first winter when neither species has started to acquire the diagnostic mantle colour. However, Lesser Black-backs always seem to have darker wings and mantle, each feather being mainly dark with pale edges. In flight, the young Lesser Black-backs have consistently dark brown wings without a pale area in the inner primaries.

Habitat

Breeds on coastal cliffs, buildings, moorland and dunes. Winters on coasts, estuaries, inland lakes, reservoirs and rubbish tips.

Migration

Much of the northern population overwinters in the Iberian Penisula and on the north African coast although there is an increasing trend towards overwintering in Britain and Ireland.

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, Lesser Black-backed 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.)

Leven, Fife 01/09/2010	Ardmore Pt, Clyde 30/08/2010	Clonakilty, Cork 24/08/2010	Heysham, Lancs 26/08/2010	Dunav River, Belgrade, Serbia 15/08/2010
Landguard NR, Suffolk 21/08/2010	Kinnegar Shore/Pools, Down 21/08/2010	Hauxley, Northumbs 20/08/2010	Isle of May, Fife 20/07/2010	Landguard NR, Suffolk 16/08/2010

 View all pictures of Lesser Black-backed Gull

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

Belgium
Britain
Canary Islands
Denmark
Estonia
Faroe Islands
Finland
France
Germany
Greenland
Iceland
Ireland
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Russia
Spain
Svalbard
Sweden

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