Vega Gull

Larus vegae

With fierce yellow eyes and a powerful build, this large white-headed gull rules the coastal waters from Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula to the shores of Japan and Alaska.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Vega Gull is a large gull with a predominantly white body and pale grey upper wings and back. Its wingtips are black with white spots, and it has a yellow or light orange bill with a red spot near the tip. The legs are pink (sometimes yellow), and the eyes are golden with an orange-red ring around them.

In winter, adults develop streaked grey-brown patterns on the head and neck. Juveniles are uniformly brownish, gradually transitioning to adult colouration over four years.

Size

Length

55cm to 67cm

Wingspan

125cm to 155cm

Weight

1000g to 1.4kg

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

White Grey

Secondary Colour

Black

Beak Colour

Yellow

Leg Colour

Pink

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Vega Gull is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Vega Gull is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Vega Gull can be found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Vega Gull can be found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Vega Gull is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Vega Gull is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Vega Gull is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Vega Gull is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Vega Gull is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Vega Gull is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Vega Gull is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Vega Gull is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Vega Gulls breed along the coasts and islands of northeastern Siberia, from the Taymyr Peninsula to the Bering Sea. During the non-breeding season, they migrate south to coastal areas of East Asia, including Japan, Korea, and eastern China.

These gulls prefer coastal habitats, including rocky shores, estuaries, and harbours. They can also be found inland near large lakes and rivers during migration, occasionally reaching as far as Alaska in North America.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 100 meters

Climate zones

Subarctic, Temperate

Distribution Map

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