Herring Gull
The Herring Gull is one of the best known of all gulls along the shores of Europe.
Adults in breeding plumage have a grey back and upperwings and white head and underparts. The wingtips are black with white spots known as "mirrors". The bill is yellow with a red spot and there is a ring of bare yellow skin around the pale eye. The legs are normally pink at all ages but can be yellowish. Non-breeding adults have brown streaks on the head and neck. Male and female plumage is identical at all stages of development although adult males are often larger. Juvenile and first-winter birds are mainly brown with darker streaks and have a dark bill and eyes. Second-winter birds have a whiter head and underparts with less streaking and the back is grey. Third-winter individuals are similar to adults but retain some of the features of immature birds such as brown feathers in the wings and dark markings on the bill. The Herring Gull attains adult plumage and reaches sexual maturity at an average age of 4 years.
The loud laughing call of the Herring Gull is well known and is often seen as a symbol of the seaside in countries such as the UK. It also has a yelping alarm call and a low barking anxiety call. Chicks and fledglings emit a distinctive, repetitive high-pitched 'peep', accompanied by a head-flicking gesture when begging for food from or calling to their parents. Adult gulls in urban areas will also exhibit this behaviour when fed by humans.
The Herring Gull breeds across northern Europe, western Europe, central Europe, eastern Europe, Scandinavia and the Baltic states. Some, especially those resident in colder areas, migrate further south in winter but many are permanent residents such as in the UK or on the North Sea shores. While Herring Gull numbers appear to have been decreased in recent years, possibly by fish population declines and competition, they have proved able to survive in human-adapted areas and can often be seen in towns acting as a scavenger.
The Herring Gull, like most gulls, is an omnivore and opportunist and will scavenge from garbage dumps, landfill sites and sewage outflows with refuse comprising up to half of the bird's diet. In addition, it will eat fish, crustaceans and dead animals as well as some plants and it will steal the eggs and young of other birds (including those of other gulls). The Herring Gull may also dive from the surface of the water or engage in plunge diving in the pursuit of aquatic prey although they are typically unable to reach any great depth due to their natural buoyancy.
Date: 6th May 2024
Location: St. Govan's Head, Pembrokeshire
Adults in breeding plumage have a grey back and upperwings and white head and underparts. The wingtips are black with white spots known as "mirrors". The bill is yellow with a red spot and there is a ring of bare yellow skin around the pale eye. The legs are normally pink at all ages but can be yellowish. Non-breeding adults have brown streaks on the head and neck. Male and female plumage is identical at all stages of development although adult males are often larger. Juvenile and first-winter birds are mainly brown with darker streaks and have a dark bill and eyes. Second-winter birds have a whiter head and underparts with less streaking and the back is grey. Third-winter individuals are similar to adults but retain some of the features of immature birds such as brown feathers in the wings and dark markings on the bill. The Herring Gull attains adult plumage and reaches sexual maturity at an average age of 4 years.
The loud laughing call of the Herring Gull is well known and is often seen as a symbol of the seaside in countries such as the UK. It also has a yelping alarm call and a low barking anxiety call. Chicks and fledglings emit a distinctive, repetitive high-pitched 'peep', accompanied by a head-flicking gesture when begging for food from or calling to their parents. Adult gulls in urban areas will also exhibit this behaviour when fed by humans.
The Herring Gull breeds across northern Europe, western Europe, central Europe, eastern Europe, Scandinavia and the Baltic states. Some, especially those resident in colder areas, migrate further south in winter but many are permanent residents such as in the UK or on the North Sea shores. While Herring Gull numbers appear to have been decreased in recent years, possibly by fish population declines and competition, they have proved able to survive in human-adapted areas and can often be seen in towns acting as a scavenger.
The Herring Gull, like most gulls, is an omnivore and opportunist and will scavenge from garbage dumps, landfill sites and sewage outflows with refuse comprising up to half of the bird's diet. In addition, it will eat fish, crustaceans and dead animals as well as some plants and it will steal the eggs and young of other birds (including those of other gulls). The Herring Gull may also dive from the surface of the water or engage in plunge diving in the pursuit of aquatic prey although they are typically unable to reach any great depth due to their natural buoyancy.
Date: 6th May 2024
Location: St. Govan's Head, Pembrokeshire
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