Gulls, commonly known as seagulls, are medium-sized birds ranging in colour from white to gray. Identifying the gulls is an arduous task, given their constantly changing plumage. It takes two to four years for their plumage to mature, permitting distinction between different species.
From conservation to merely identifying different species, gull identification is a fascinating subject. You need to be attentive and identify meticulous details such as tail, feather pattern, bill shape and size, and leg color to characterize the seagulls.
Other characteristics such as forehead slope, eye color, and tail length can help you in seagull identification. Whether you are a researcher or a bird enthusiast, this gull identification chart will help you immensely in differentiating between different types of gulls.
Table of Contents
British Seagull Identification
The UK and the British Isles are home to several gull species, ranging from Herring gull to common gull. While some species breed on the British coastlines, others migrate large distances.
Whether it’s a native British seagull, or an emigrated rare species, identifying various types of British seagulls requires considerable knowledge and patience.
Some commonly found British seagull species include the great black-backed gull, lesser black-backed gull, kittiwake, and Iceland gull. Let’s take a look at some key identifying features of these British seagulls.
| Name | Area Found | Characteristics/Features |
|---|---|---|
| Herring Gull | Coastal areas, inland cities | Large size, pale gray back and wings, pink legs, yellow bill with red spot |
| Great Black-backed Gull | Coastal areas, estuaries | Largest gull in Britain, black back and wings, white head and underparts, yellow bill |
| Lesser Black-backed Gull | Coastal areas, estuaries | Medium-sized gull, dark gray to black back and wings, yellow legs, yellow bill with red spot |
| Common Gull | Coastal areas, inland cities | Medium-sized gull, pale gray back and wings, yellow bill with black tip |
| Black-headed Gull | Coastal areas, inland cities | Small gull, dark brown head during breeding season, red bill and legs, white body |
| Kittiwake | Coastal cliffs, offshore | Medium-sized gull, white body and wings, black wingtips, yellow bill, “M” pattern on upper wings in flight |
| Mediterranean Gull | Coastal areas, estuaries | Medium-sized gull, black head in breeding season, white body and wings, red bill and legs |
| Iceland Gull | Coastal areas, inland cities | Medium-sized gull, pale gray to white plumage, yellow bill, pink legs |
| Glaucous Gull | Coastal areas, estuaries | Large gull, pale gray to white plumage, pink bill, pink legs |
| Black-legged Kittiwake | Coastal cliffs, offshore | Small gull, white body and wings, black wingtips, black legs, “M” pattern on upper wings in flight |
Female Gull Identification
Identifying gulls based on their sexes can be hard, since there is only a subtle difference between a male and female gull. Two parameters that can help you identify female gulls are the body mass and the size of the bill.
Although the difference is small, female gulls generally have a smaller body mass. They also have a relatively smaller and weaker bill compared to male gulls. However, unless there is a pair of gulls of opposite sexes side by side, chances of exclusively identifying a female gull are small.
Also read: Duck Identification Chart
How do you identify common gulls?
Common gulls are similar to herring gulls, with a medium-sized body and pale-gray wings. Due to the similarities between the two, identifying common gulls may be confusing. But don’t worry! We have compiled a list of key factors that will help you identify common gulls easily:
- They are smaller than herring gulls and larger than black-headed gulls.
- They have long, pale-gray wings and black wing-tips with white spots.
- Their legs are yellow-green, and their eyes are dark.
- They have a yellow bill with no red spot. A dark ring appears near the tip of the bill during the winter season.
How to differentiate gulls?
Differentiating between gulls can be hard, given there are approximately 50 species of gull found worldwide. You don’t have to wait for the plumage to identify them there are several other factors that can help you differentiate between species. Let’s take a look!
- Size: Depending on the species, the size of the gull varies from small black-headed gulls to the large great black-backed gulls.
- Bill: The size and colour of the bills are the most important distinguishing factor. Observe the gulls carefully to spot yellow bills and those with red and black spots on them.
- Legs: Different species have different leg colours. For example, Kittiwake gulls with black legs and lesser black-backed gulls with yellow legs.
- Eye colour: The eye colour of the gulls is also a crucial determinant of the gull species. While some gulls have pale yellow eyes, others have dark eyes with red or yellow rims.
- Wing-tips: Most gulls have different wing colour and wing-tip colors that helps identify their species.
Also read: Dove Id Chart
What are the characteristics of a gull?
Gulls are medium-sized, long-winged birds with webbed feet, hind toes and bills that are hooked and stout. They have squared off or rounded tails which is common in most of its species. Here are a few important characteristics that you can consider while identifying gulls:
- Depending on the species, gulls can range in size from 28 to 81 cm.
- Their diet varies based on the species and the location; however, most gulls are scavengers.
- They are usually found near the coastlines and water bodies.
- They are found in large, dense colonies and lay two to three eggs in nests at a time.
- They usually have proportionate, heavy bodies and long grey wings.
- Their feet are webbed for swimming and walking on sand.
- The plumage varies depending on the age of the gull and season.
Why are gulls difficult to identify?
It is difficult to identify gulls since their plumage varies with age and season. According to research, it can take gulls anywhere from two to four years to develop their adult plumage. Hence, until the gulls have matured, there is no sure way to identify them based on their plumage.
Even when the gulls have matured, most of the gull species are similar, making it hard to differentiate. However, you can try to distinguish them based on the bill colour, size, legs, eyes, and wing-tips.
Conclusion
Now that you have gone through the gull identification chart, it is time to practically implement your knowledge and see if you can identify any of the species. While theoretical knowledge helps, observing the gulls in person and spotting the characteristic features requires a lot more practice and time.