Common Gull

Larus canus

Genus · Large White-headed Gulls Family · Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers
Observation tips Difficulty: EASY
Best time
🕒 Any
Activity
☀️ Diurnal
Best months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Observation habitat
City riverFarmlandLake wetlandsMarine

Look for a gull smaller than a Herring Gull with greenish-yellow legs. Its plain yellow-green bill and dark eye are key features.

Common Gull
Stats
Wingspan100–115 cm
Weight290–550 g
Length40–46 cm
Lifespan wild10–24 yrs
Size
XS
S
M
L
XL
Nesting
Nest typeScrape
Clutch size2–3 eggs
Incubation24–26 days
Breeding months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Regional Status (Europe)
LC
Least Concern (Europe)
IUCN Red List
MigrationPartial migratory
Social BehaviourColonial

Diet: Omnivore

🦴Carrion
🐟Fish
🍕Human food
🦗Insects
🐚Mollusks
🪱Worms

Habitat

🚜 Farmland🛶 Lake wetlands🌊 Marine🏞️ River🏙️ Urban
✦ Fun Fact

Common Gulls can show delayed maturity, with many individuals not gaining full adult plumage until their fourth year. During this time, they pass through several distinct “in-between” plumage stages, which can make age identification surprisingly complex even for experienced birders.

About

A medium-sized gull that looks like a smaller version of the Herring Gull. It has a rounder head and a greenish-yellow bill without a red spot. Its dark eyes give it a 'gentle' expression. It breeds in colonies near both coastal and inland waters. It often nests on islands or even in trees.

Behaviour

Common Gulls are adaptable feeders. They often follow plows in fields or 'paddle' on grass to bring worms to the surface. They are less aggressive than larger gulls. You can often find them in parks and on playing fields. Their call is higher-pitched and more nasal than a Herring Gull's.

Similar species

European Herring Gull
🐦
European Herring Gull
Larus argentatus
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