Iceland Gull Bird Facts (Larus glaucoides)

Visual Identification

Appearance

The Iceland Gull is a medium-sized gull with a pale, washed-out appearance. Adults have white plumage with a light grey back and wings, yellow eyes, surrounded by a reddish-purple ring and a yellow bill with a red spot near the tip. Their legs are pink, greyish or a dull brown-salmon colour.

Winter adults may show faint grey-brown streaking on the crown, face, and throat. The upper breast is also often faintly lined with brown. During winter, an Iceland gull’s feet, eyes, and bill are less vibrant than in summer months.

Juveniles and immature birds show various stages of brown mottling, which gradually fades to adult plumage over four years.

Size

Length

52cm to 60cm

Wingspan

130cm to 150cm

Weight

750g to 1.1kg

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

White Grey

Secondary Colour

Pink

Beak Colour

Yellow

Leg Colour

Pink

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Iceland Gull is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Iceland Gull is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Iceland Gull can be found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Iceland Gull can be found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Iceland Gull is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Iceland Gull is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Iceland Gull is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Iceland Gull is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Iceland Gull is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Iceland Gull is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Iceland Gull is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Iceland Gull is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Iceland Gulls breed in the high Arctic regions of Canada and Greenland. During winter, they migrate south to coastal areas of North America, from Newfoundland to the Great Lakes, and across the North Atlantic to Iceland, the British Isles, and northern Europe.

They prefer coastal habitats, including rocky shores, harbours, and estuaries. In the breeding season, they inhabit remote Arctic coasts and islands with suitable cliff-nesting sites.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 100 meters

Climate zones

Arctic, Subarctic, Temperate

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Iceland 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

Canada Greenland Ireland Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season

United States of America

Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season

Denmark Faroe Islands Iceland Netherlands The United Kingdom

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

Austria Belgium Bermuda Finland France Germany Gibraltar Greece Hungary Italy Japan Latvia Macedonia Morocco Norway Poland Portugal Romania Russia Slovakia Spain Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands Sweden United States of America

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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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 85

Agility

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

The Iceland Gull demonstrates high agility, with its ability to soar gracefully on updrafts and glide low over water. Its adept flying skills, essential for coastal and marine environments, contribute to its impressive manoeuvrability.

Strength 60

Strength

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

While not the strongest gull species, the Iceland Gull possesses moderate strength. Its ability to catch fish at the water's surface and withstand harsh Arctic conditions during breeding season indicates a reasonable level of physical prowess.

Adaptability 80

Adaptability

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

The Iceland Gull shows significant adaptability, thriving in both Arctic breeding grounds and temperate wintering areas. Its opportunistic feeding habits, consuming a varied diet of fish, marine invertebrates, and carrion, further demonstrate its adaptable nature.

Aggressiveness 40

Aggressiveness

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

Described as less aggressive than many other gull species, the Iceland Gull tends to feed alone or in small groups. This relatively peaceful demeanour suggests a lower level of aggression compared to its relatives.

Endurance 75

Endurance

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

The Iceland Gull's endurance is noteworthy, evidenced by its long-distance migrations between Arctic breeding grounds and temperate wintering areas. Its ability to survive in harsh Arctic conditions and coastal environments throughout the year also indicates strong endurance.

Diet

Iceland Gulls are opportunistic feeders, consuming a varied diet of fish, marine invertebrates, and carrion. They often follow fishing boats to scavenge discards and have been observed catching fish at the water's surface. In breeding areas, they may also eat eggs and chicks of other seabirds.

They also forage at garbage dumps, sewage farms, and harborsides, where fish are cleaned when brought in by trawlers. In late summer, berries, algae, and terrestrial plants may also be eaten.

Behaviour

Iceland Gulls are often seen soaring gracefully on updrafts or gliding low over water. They are less aggressive than many other gull species and often feed alone or in small groups. During the breeding season, they become more social, nesting in loose colonies on coastal cliffs.

Vocalisation

The Iceland Gull's call is a high-pitched, plaintive 'mew' or 'kyow,' often described as more musical than other gull species. At sea, they are relatively silent.

During the breeding season, they produce a variety of vocalisations, including a rapid 'ha-ha-ha' laugh-like call used in courtship and territorial displays.

Nesting & Breeding

Iceland Gulls form monogamous pairs and breed during the short Arctic summer. They typically nest on coastal cliffs or rocky outcrops, often in loose colonies with other gull species.

The nest is a shallow scrape lined with grass, moss, and feathers. Females lay 2-3 olive-brown eggs with dark blotches. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs.

Incubation lasts about 24-26 days, and chicks fledge after 40-50 days. Parents continue to care for the young for several weeks after fledging.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern ^[1]

While the Iceland Gull is currently listed as Least Concern, it faces threats from climate change affecting its Arctic breeding grounds. Oil spills and marine pollution also pose risks to this species. Continued monitoring of population trends is essential for its long-term conservation.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

190,000 - 400,000 individuals ^[2]

Global Population Trend

^[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Birdwatching Tips

Look for Iceland Gulls in coastal areas, especially during winter in North America and Europe
Observe their pale plumage and lack of black wingtips to distinguish them from similar species
Check for their slightly smaller size and more delicate build compared to Herring Gulls
Listen for their high-pitched, mewing calls

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

White-winged Gull, Kumlien's Gull

Family:

Laridae

Average Lifespan

15 to 20 years

Predators

Main predators include Arctic foxes, large raptors such as Snowy Owls and Gyrfalcons, and occasionally larger gull species that may prey on eggs and chicks.

Did You Know?

The Iceland Gull rarely visits Iceland, despite its name.
It's one of the palest gull species, lacking the black wingtips common in many other gulls.
Some taxonomists consider the Kumlien's Gull a subspecies of the Iceland Gull.

FAQs

How can you tell the difference between an Iceland gull and a herring gull?

There are some key differences between Iceland gulls and herring gulls that make it relatively simple to distinguish between the two species accurately.

Herring gulls are larger than Iceland gulls and have darker upperparts and black wingtips. Iceland gulls have a red ring around their eye during breeding, and a shorter, finer bill.