Great Black-backed Gull - Larus marinus

Description

The largest gull in the world. It is bulky, and has a powerful bill. The adults have blacker wings and back than the smaller Lesser Black-backed Gull. The conspicuous white spots at the tips of the primaries are often referred to as "mirrors". The legs are pinkish, and the bill yellow with a red spot. It has a heavy flight and can look quite hunched when perched. They take at least four years to reach maturity. Young birds have scaly black-brown upperparts, and a neat wing pattern.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

Found around the coasts in the breeding season. At other times of year it can be found wherever gulls congregate - at reservoir roosts, rubbish tips inland, and bays and harbours.

When to see it

All year round - found inland most in winter.

UK Status

17,000 breeding pairs with 76,000 birds over wintering.

VC55 Status

Fairly common winter visitor, scarce at other times.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Species profile

Common names
Great Black-backed Gull
Species group:
Birds
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Charadriiformes
Family:
Laridae
Records on NatureSpot:
433
First record:
08/12/2008 (Steve Lister)
Last record:
03/02/2025 (Messenger, Nigel)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

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