The wingspan can range from 125 to 155 cm (49 to 61 in). The yellow-legged gull is a large gull, though the size does vary, with the smallest females being scarcely larger than a common gull and the largest males being roughly the size of a great black-backed gull.They range in length from 52 to 68 cm (20 to 27 in) in total length, from 120 to 155 cm (47 to 61 in) in wingspan and from 550 to 1,600 g (1.21 to 3.53 lb) in weight. The gulls are found all year round in the streets and gardens of Britain, due to the presence of street lighting (which allows the gulls to forage at night), discarded food in streets, food waste contained in easy-to-tear plastic bin bags, food intentionally left out for other birds (or the gulls themselves), the relative lack of predators, and readily available, convenient, warm and undisturbed rooftop nesting space in towns and cities. [7][8][9][10] Among standard measurements, the wing chord is 38 to 48 cm (15 to 19 in), the bill is 4.4 to 6.5 cm (1.7 to 2.6 in) and the tarsus is 5.3 to 7.5 cm (2.1 to 3.0 in). Male herring gulls range in size from 60 to 66 centimeters in length and 1050 and 1250 grams in weight, while female herring gulls range from 56 to 62 centimeters in length and 800 to 980 grams in weight. If the danger closes in, the bark is repeated, and when very close, the warning is three quick barks. It breeds over most of Canada apart from the southwest and Arctic regions. As a direct result, European herring gull populations in Britain skyrocketed. Male and female plumage are identical at all stages of development, but adult males are often larger. The survival rate for urban gulls is much higher than their counterparts in coastal areas, with an annual adult mortality rate less than 5%. It can only catch slow creatures, like small crabs, which it often drops from some altitude to crack them open. The European herring gull has long been believed to have extremely keen vision in daylight and night vision equal or superior to that of humans;[14] however, this species is also capable of seeing ultraviolet light. It also steals the eggs and young of other birds (including those of other gulls), as well as seeking suitable small prey in fields, on the coast or in urban areas, or robbing plovers or lapwings of their catches. Herring Gull Larus argentatus Range map: Post-breeding migration Data provided by eBird. The great black-backed gull (L. marinus) was around 1900 as common as the herring gull in the mentioned parts, but has not increased as much (if at all), though some signs indicate the bigger gull has learned (adopted) some of the herring gull's behaviour within urban environments. Particularly large urban gull colonies (composed primarily of European herring gulls and lesser black-backed gulls) are now present in Cardiff, Bristol, Gloucester, Swindon, London, and Aberdeen. Timing and Routes of Migration. [2] It breeds across Northern Europe, Western Europe, Central Europe, Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, and the Baltic states. The Association of European Rarities Committees recognises six species: These taxa are classified as subspecies of Larus argentatus by some authorities such as the American Ornithologists' Union and Handbook of the Birds of the World. The bird has little real power in its jaws while biting, but it may "stab" with better strength. In cities, herring gulls have been witnessed attacking and killing feral pigeons. Herring Gulls are omnivores, traditionally foraging in marine coastal habitats, particularly intertidal areas, feeding on a wide range of marine invertebrates such as echinoderms, molluscs and crustaceans. If the cock chooses not to attack her and drive her away, he responds by assuming an upright posture and making a mewing call. The Herring Gull was an uncommon species during the Minnesota Breeding Bird Atlas (MNBBA). The European herring gull also has a yelping alarm call and a low, barking anxiety call. Native to the Americas, Europe, Asia and Africa, this bird prefers wetland and marine ecosystems. Underparts and tail are white, eyes are yellow. [20], In the UK, the species, when taken as a whole, is declining significantly across the country, despite an increase in urban areas. They seldom eat fresh fruit, but windfalls and rotten fruit seem more desired. Movements and Migration. Adults have mostly white heads and bodies and grey wings. They line the scrapes with vegetation, feathers, plastic, rope, or other materials. Like vultures, an adult bird can dig its whole head and neck into a dead rabbit, for instance. Immature birds, even in coastal areas, head south, with younger birds migrating farther. During the winter, large flocks can be seen at (snow-free) fields (agricultural or grass), especially if the ground has a high degree of moisture. European herring gull flocks have a loose pecking order, based on size, aggressiveness, and physical strength. Several other gulls have been included in this species in the past, but are now normally considered separate, e.g. Herring gulls are large, noisy gulls found throughout the year around our coasts and inland around rubbish tips, fields, large reservoirs and lakes, especially during winter. In Birds of the World (S. M. Billerman, Editor). The Cornell Lab will send you updates about birds, birding, and opportunities to help bird conservation. [20] Despite their name, they have no special preference for herrings — in fact, examinations have shown that echinoderms and crustaceans comprised a greater portion of these gulls' stomach contents than fish, although fish is the principal element of regurgitations for nestlings. Birds that breed inland across Canada and Alaska generally seek milder winters, while those already along the coasts of Alaska, the Great Lakes, and New England remain nearby or move out to sea. It is a common species throughout its range and can be distinguished from superficially similar species by body size and location. Herring gulls are good at producing all three eggs into flying birds. Their main nonbreeding range includes the Pacific and Atlantic coasts, the southern United States, the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, and a few Caribbean islands. [32] During the breeding season, the gulls also aggressively 'dive bomb' and attempt to strike with claws and wings (sometimes spraying faeces or vomit at the same time) at humans that they perceive to be a threat to their eggs and chicks —often innocent passers-by or residents of the buildings on which they have constructed their nests. [12] European herring gulls are almost exclusively sexually monogamous and may pair up for life, provided the couple is successful in hatching their eggs.[20]. [21] European herring gulls can frequently be seen to drop shelled prey from a height to break the shell. [31], Once familiar with humans, urban European herring gulls show little hesitation in swooping down to steal food from the hands of humans, although a study conducted in 2019 demonstrated that the gulls are more averse to snatching food in proximity to humans if the experimenter made eye contact with the bird. However, if much food is found, especially at a "dangerous location" (such as in the backyard of a tall building), the bird that discovered the food will call to other gulls close by (of any species). If a few birds discover a piece of food, the first one to land by the food piece often unfolds its wings (together with a sound) to proclaim "this food is mine". 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