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.
| Gull Type | Main Features | Where to Find |
|---|---|---|
| Herring Gull | Large size, gray back, pink legs, yellow bill with red spot | Coasts and cities |
| Great Black-backed Gull | Largest UK gull, black back, white head, yellow bill | Coasts and estuaries |
| Lesser Black-backed Gull | Medium size, dark back, yellow legs and bill | Coasts and estuaries |
| Common Gull | Medium size, gray back, yellow bill with black tip | Coasts and cities |
| Black-headed Gull | Small size, brown head (breeding), red bill and legs | Coasts and cities |
| Kittiwake | Medium size, black wingtips, yellow bill, M-pattern wings | Coastal cliffs |
| Mediterranean Gull | Medium size, black head (breeding), red bill and legs | Coasts and estuaries |
| Iceland Gull | Medium size, very pale gray/white, yellow bill | Coasts and cities |
| Glaucous Gull | Large size, very pale, pink bill and legs | Coasts and estuaries |
| Black-legged Kittiwake | Small size, black legs, M-pattern wings | Coastal cliffs |
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.
How to Identify Common Gulls
Common Gulls (Larus canus) are frequently mistaken for Herring Gulls, but several distinct features make them easily identifiable once you know what to look for. Here’s a comprehensive guide to identifying these elegant birds:
Size and Build
- Medium-sized gull, notably smaller than Herring Gulls but larger than Black-headed Gulls
- Length: 40-44 cm
- Wingspan: 100-130 cm
- Generally more delicate and compact appearance compared to Herring Gulls
Distinctive Features
- Gentle, dove-like expression
- Round head with relatively steep forehead
- More slender bill compared to other gull species
- Noticeably more graceful in flight than Herring Gulls
Plumage and Coloring
- Wings and back: Pale gray
- Wingtips: Black with distinctive white spots (“mirrors”)
- Body and head: Pure white in summer, streaked gray in winter
- Underparts: Always white
Bill Characteristics
- Summer: All-yellow bill
- Winter: Yellow bill with dark ring near tip
- No red spot (unlike Herring Gulls)
- More slender and shorter than Herring Gull’s bill
Leg Features
- Color: Greenish-yellow to yellow
- Relatively short compared to Herring Gulls
- More delicate appearance
Seasonal Changes Summer Plumage:
- Pure white head
- Bright yellow bill
- More intense leg coloration
Winter Plumage:
- Gray streaking on head and neck
- Darker ring on bill
- Slightly duller leg color
- Darker marking behind eye
Behavioral Clues
- More likely to feed in fields and grasslands than Herring Gulls
- Often seen following plows in agricultural areas
- More graceful flight pattern
- Generally less aggressive than Herring Gulls
- Typically more wary of humans than Herring Gulls
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.
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.