Herring Gull vs Lesser Black-backed Gull: How to Tell Them Apart
Telling the Herring Gull and Lesser Black-backed Gull apart comes down to differences in size, appearance, habitat and voice. Compare them side by side below, or open each species for the full profile.
Herring Gull
Larus argentatus
| Length | 55-67cm |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | 125-155cm |
| Weight | 1.1 kg |
| Family | Laridae |
| Status | Least Concern |
Appearance
A big gull with grey wings, a grey back and otherwise white plumage during summer. The yellow bill has a subtle hook on the end and a red spot on its tip, the legs and feet are a fleshy pink, the wings have white-spotted black tips, and there is a yellowish orange ring around the yellow eye. The head and neck develop dark grey streaks during winter. Juveniles and first-winter birds are mottled brown with dark bills and spotted dark tails tipped with dark; the grey colour becomes apparent in second winter, and full adult plumage develops over 4 years.
Habitat
Majority of birds nest close to the ocean, particularly on cliffs, beaches and shingle islands. Inland colonies are becoming more common and may inhabit buildings and moorland. When not in breeding season, birds have a wide distribution and though they still tend towards the coast, they can be found in towns, reservoirs and playing fields.
Voice
Has a distinctive 'kyow, kyow, kyow' call and a ' ga-ka-ka' call when threatened.
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Larus fuscus
| Length | 52-67cm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 766 g |
| Family | Laridae |
| Status | Least Concern |
Appearance
Slightly smaller and more slender than the Herring Gull, with yellow legs and a dark grey back. The upperwings are dark grey with black tips, although birds of Baltic origins have completely black upperwings. The inner two-thirds of the upperwing have a white trailing margin, and the plumage is otherwise white. There's an orange dot at the end of the yellow bill, and the yellow eyes are ringed with red. Winter birds gain grey streaks on the head and neck, and the bill and legs are less vivid at this time. Juveniles and first-winter birds are mottled grey-brown and streaky, appearing scaly on the back; upperwings are dark brown, the tail is pale with a dark section at its end and the bill and eye are dark. They gain adult plumage after three years of moulting.
Habitat
Breeding territories include sand dunes, well-vegetated sea cliffs and islands, moors and some townships. Otherwise found in a range of locations, both inland and coastal (mostly inshore waters).
Voice
Utters a guttural 'kaw' and a 'ga-ka-ka' call if alarmed.