Great Black-backed Gull Bird Facts (Larus marinus)

Visual Identification

Appearance

The Great Black-backed Gull is the largest gull species. Its distinctive black back and wings contrast sharply with its white head, neck, and underparts. Its powerful yellow bill has a red spot on the lower mandible, and its legs are pink.

Adults maintain this plumage year-round, while juveniles are mottled brown and gradually acquire adult plumage over four years. There is no significant difference between male and female appearance.

Apart from their larger size, these gulls appear similar to other Larus species like the Herring Gull (gray back) and Lesser Black-backed Gull (yellow legs).

Size

Length

64cm to 79cm

Wingspan

150cm to 170cm

Weight

1.05kg to 2.5kg

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

White Black

Secondary Colour

Grey

Beak Colour

Yellow

Leg Colour

Pink

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Great Black-backed Gull is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Great Black-backed Gull is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Great Black-backed Gull can be found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Great Black-backed Gull can be found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Great Black-backed Gull can be found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Great Black-backed Gull is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Great Black-backed Gull is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Great Black-backed Gull is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Great Black-backed Gull is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Great Black-backed Gull is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Great Black-backed Gull is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Great Black-backed Gull is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Great Black-backed Gulls primarily inhabit coastal areas, including rocky shores, estuaries, and harbors. They are found along North America's and Europe's Atlantic coasts, from the Arctic to the Mediterranean.

In North America, they are common along the eastern seaboard, while in Europe, they are widespread in the UK, Ireland, and Scandinavia. Some populations move inland during winter, frequenting large lakes and reservoirs.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 100 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subarctic

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Great Black-backed Gull. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Resident

Breeding

Non-breeding

Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year

Anguilla Antigua and Barbuda Barbados Belize Bermuda Canada Cuba Czech Republic Denmark Dominica Dominican Republic Estonia Faroe Islands Finland France Germany Gibraltar Greenland Guadeloupe Haiti Iceland Ireland Italy Latvia Martinique Montserrat Netherlands Poland Puerto Rico Russia Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Sweden The United Kingdom

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season

Norway United States of America

Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season

Austria Belgium Bulgaria Greece Lebanon Lithuania Macedonia Portugal Romania Slovakia Spain Switzerland

Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range

Algeria Aruba Belarus Bosnia and Herzegovina Croatia Curaçao Cyprus Egypt Hungary India Iran Israel Kazakhstan Luxembourg Mauritania Montenegro Morocco Serbia Slovenia Syria The Bahamas Tunisia Turkey US Virgin Islands Venezuela

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

This feature is in beta. We'd love your feedback to improve it!

Share your thoughts

Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 75

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Great Black-backed Gull demonstrates considerable agility in flight and when hunting. Its ability to manoeuvre effectively to steal food from other birds and drop hard-shelled prey from heights indicates good aerial dexterity.

Strength 85

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

As the largest gull species, the Great Black-backed Gull possesses remarkable strength. Its powerful bill allows it to prey on larger animals, including adult puffins and rabbits, showcasing its physical prowess.

Adaptability 80

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

This species exhibits high adaptability, thriving in various coastal environments and even moving inland during winter. Its opportunistic feeding behaviour and diverse diet, including scavenging at landfills, further demonstrate its adaptable nature.

Aggressiveness 90

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Great Black-backed Gulls are known for their aggressive behaviour, particularly in food acquisition. They frequently steal food from other birds and are territorial during breeding season, indicating a high level of aggression compared to many other bird species.

Endurance 70

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

While specific endurance data is limited, the Great Black-backed Gull's ability to patrol coastlines for food, engage in long-distance seasonal movements, and its long lifespan of over 25 years in the wild suggest good endurance. However, it's not known for extreme long-distance migrations like some other seabirds.

Diet

Great Black-backed Gulls have a varied diet, including fish, mollusks, crustaceans, and smaller birds. They are also known to scavenge on carrion and scraps, often seen at landfills or following fishing boats.

Their powerful bill allows them to prey on larger animals, including adult puffins and rabbits. They find their food in the intertidal zone, at the surface of open water, and around seabird colonies.

Behaviour

Great Black-backed Gulls are opportunistic feeders, often seen patrolling coastlines for food. They are known for their aggressive behavior, frequently stealing food from other birds.

These gulls are less gregarious than other gull species, often seen alone or in small groups rather than large flocks.

Vocalisation

The Great Black-backed Gull has a deep, resonant call, often described as a loud "kyow" or "laughing" sound.

During the breeding season, they produce a variety of vocalizations, including a series of low "ha-ha-ha" notes when defending territory or interacting with mates.

Nesting & Breeding

Breeding occurs from late April to August, with pairs often returning each year to the same nesting site. Great Black-backed Gulls typically nest on coastal cliffs, islands, or sometimes flat ground near water.

The nest is a large mound of vegetation, feathers, and debris. Females lay 2-3 eggs, which are olive-brown with dark blotches. Both parents share incubation duties.

Incubation lasts about 27-28 days, and chicks fledge after 6-7 weeks. Young gulls reach sexual maturity at 4-5 years of age.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern ^[1]

While currently listed as Least Concern, Great Black-backed Gulls face threats from habitat loss, pollution, and climate change. Some populations have declined due to reduced food availability and human disturbance at nesting sites. Conservation efforts focus on protecting breeding colonies and managing coastal habitats.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

690,000 - 940,000 mature individuals ^[2]

Global Population Trend

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Greater Black-backed Gull

Family:

Laridae

Average Lifespan

20 to 27 years

Predators

Adult Great Black-backed Gulls have few natural predators, but eggs and chicks may fall prey to foxes, rats, and other large gulls.

Did You Know?

Great Black-backed Gulls can live for over 25 years in the wild.
They are known to drop hard-shelled prey from heights to break them open.
These gulls are capable of swallowing a puffin whole.