GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL

The 'Great Black-backed Gull', ''Larus marinus'', is a very large gull which breeds on the European and North American coasts and islands of the North Atlantic. It is fairly sedentary, but some Great Black-backed Gulls move further south or inland to large lakes or reservoirs.
This is the largest gull, much bigger than a Herring Gull. It is 61-74 cm long with a 1.4-1.7 m wingspan, the large adult males often weighing in at more than two kilogrammes. It is bulky, and has a powerful bill. The adults have black wings and back, with conspicuous white "mirrors" at the wing tips. The legs are pinkish, and the bill yellow with a red spot.

Young birds have scaly black-brown upperparts, and a neat wing pattern. They take at least four years to reach maturity, development in this species being somewhat slower than that of other large gulls. The call is a deep "laughing" cry.
These are omnivores like most ''Larus'' gulls, and they will scavenge as well as seek suitable small prey. They frequently rob other seabirds of their catch. It can swallow a puffin or a small wild duck whole.
This species breeds singly or in small colonies, making a lined nest on the ground often on top of a rocky stack. 3-5 eggs are laid.

Contents

References

References

★ Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern

★ "National Geographic" ''Field Guide to the Birds of North'' ''America'' ISBN 0-7922-6877-6

★ '' Seabirds'' by Peter Harrison, ISBN 0-7470-1410-8

★ ''Handbook of the Birds of the World Vol 3'', Josep del Hoyo editor, ISBN 84-87334-10-5

★ "National Audubon Society" ''The Sibley Guide to Birds'', by David Allen Sibley, ISBN 0-679-45122-6

★ 'Malling Olsen, Klaus' and 'Hans Larsson', ''Gulls of Europe, Asia and North America'' ISBN 0-7136-7087-8