Iceland Gull
Least ConcernLarus glaucoides
Visual Identification
Iceland Gull
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
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
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
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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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.
Lifespan
years
The Iceland Gull typically lives for 15 to 20 years.
Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
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.
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:
LaridaePredators
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.
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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.
References
- 1
website: BirdLife International. 2019. Larus glaucoides (amended version of 2018 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T22729877A155595584.
View source - 2 3
report, 2015: Wetlands International