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The European herring gull (Larus argentatus) is one of the best-known of all gulls along the shores of Western Europe, it was once abundant. While the numbers of these birds appear to have been harmed in recent years, possibly by fish population declines and competition, they have proved able to survive in human-adapted areas and can often be seen in towns acting as scavengers.
Population size
2-2.4 Mlnlnn
Life Span
30-49 years
Weight
710-1525
goz
g oz
Length
55-67
cminch
cm inch
Wingspan
125-155
cminch
cm inch
Adult Herring gulls in breeding plumage have a light grey back and upper wings and white head and underparts. The wingtips are black with white spots known as "mirrors". The bill is yellow with a red spot and a ring of bare yellow skin is seen around the pale eye. The legs are normally pink at all ages, but can be yellowish, particularly in the Baltic population, which was formerly regarded as a separate subspecies "L. a. omissus". Non-breeding adults have brown streaks on their heads and necks. Male and female plumage are identical at all stages of development, but adult males are often larger. Juvenile and first-winter birds are mainly brown with darker streaks and have dark bills and eyes. Second-winter birds have a whiter head and underparts with less streaking and the back is grey. Third-winter individuals are similar to adults, but retain some of the features of immature birds such as brown feathers in the wings and dark markings on the bill. The European herring gull attains adult plumage and reaches sexual maturity at an average age of four years.
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