Seagulls are serene creatures that are found in many of our favourite coastal towns and cities.
They have a reputation for being seagulls, but they come in all shapes and sizes.
These seabirds offer beautiful views, as well as unique idiosyncrasies to each seagull breed.
The seagull is the symbol of seaside living
They’re at home on the beach or by the sea.
With this list, you can find your new favourite seagull to follow!
If you have seagulls that are on your property, they might not be the type of seagulls we’re referring to.
These seagulls are the ones we see around seaside towns, serenely perched on rooftops and building ledges.
The seagulls we’re talking about are coastal seabirds that come in all shapes and sizes.
These seagulls are serene creatures that are found in many of our favourite coastal towns and cities.
They have a reputation for being seagulls, but they come in all shapes and sizes.
These seagulls offer beautiful views, as well as unique idiosyncrasies to each seagull breed.
1) Herring gull.
This seagull is often seen in the serene coastal towns of England.
It’s a medium-sized seabird that is distinguished by its yellowish-brown plumage.
It’s not as common in North America, but it can be found on the coasts of the U.S., Canada, and Central America
This seagull is easily identified by its bright yellow bill with a black tip
The herring gull is a medium-sized seabird that has an average wingspan of about 61 inches
The colouration on the upper wings and underparts is silvery-grey with brownish streaks
This seagull also has two dark bars on the wings.
They have an average weight of about 16 ounces and can live up to 20 years in some cases
The herring gull spends most of its time close to the water but will often scavenge for food inland as well.
Their diet includes fish, crustaceans, worms, small mammals and insects.
They’ll even eat other birds if they’re hungry enough! This is one tough bird that’s not afraid to get dirty or go after prey bigger than themselves!
Their plumage is a mix between brown and yellow, with black on their bill tip.
If you’re lucky enough to see one this seagull will stand out among other sea birds because it’s so large!
The herring gull has an average wingspan of about 61 inches that allows them to glide over more space than smaller species
The herring gull spends most of its time close to the water but will also scavenge for food inland as well.
They’ll even eat other birds if they’re hungry enough!
This is one tough bird that’s not afraid to get dirty or go after prey bigger than themselves!
You might spot these sitting atop rooftops while looking out onto the ocean waiting
2) Lesser black-backed gull.
This seagull is native to Europe and the North Atlantic coast.
It’s a large, pale-coloured gull with black markings on its wings and tail that will stand out against other seabirds in this category.
They are also distinguished by their larger size than many of the other varieties listed here.
Their diet includes fish, crustaceans, worms, small mammals and insects.
They’ll even eat other birds if they’re hungry enough!
This is one tough bird that’s not afraid to get dirty or go after prey bigger than themselves!
The lesser black-backed gull has an average weight of about 16 ounces but can live up to 20 years in some cases thanks to its long lifespan for a seagull.
They are also distinguished by their large size than many of the other varieties listed here.
Their plumage is a dark grey with black markings on its wings and tail that will stand out against other seabirds in this category.
If you’re lucky enough to see one, they’ll be easily identifiable as an adult lesser black-backed gull because they have long yellow legs for wading through shallow water while waiting for prey to come close.
3) Great black-backed gull.
One of the world’s largest species of gulls!
These birds have large heads that make the eyes seem smaller and beady.
They have a yellow bill with a red spot on the tip.
The great black-backed gull has an average wingspan of about 61 inches that allow them to glide over more space than smaller species.
The great black-backed gull spends most of its time close to the water but will also scavenge for food inland as well.
Adults have dark upper parts and pale pinkish legs.
4) Common gull.
The lesser black back gull is a smaller version of the herring gull.
It’s distinguished by its black markings on the wings and tail.
The lesser black back gull is a smaller version of the herring gull.
Adults are coloured pale grey on the upperparts and yellow-green on the legs. They have dark eyes, and their bill is thin and yellow with a black tip.
Within the winter months, the legs and bill of an owl will be affected by less light.
The common gull is the most abundant seagull in North America.
5) Black-headed gull Summer.
This gull is a migratory species from North America.
Gulls are a common sight in the UK, but it may be hard to identify smaller gulls.
Younger birds have dark reddish legs and bills, while older birds have pale grey upper parts.
In the summer the head becomes dark brown, but it is not actually black.
From a distance, look for the white leading edge of the wing. Flaps near this will generate turbulence and should be avoided.
6) Black-headed gull – winter.
As the summer turns to winter, black-headed gulls will moult and develop a white head.
The back becomes white with black markings and they’ll have a dark grey underbelly.
The black-headed gull is in the family Laridae along with herring gulls and lesser black-backed gulls.
In winter, the head becomes primarily white over a dark brown background. It is marked with black smudges on the ears and above the eyes.
Their upperparts are dark grey with white scapulars and black wingtips.
Gull with black markings on its wings and tail that will stand out against other seabirds in this category.
7) Kittiwake.
You won’t find these fish away from the coast very often.
This bird is about the size of a black-headed gull, with dark grey upperparts (lighter across the wingtips) and has bright yellow
The black wing-tips lack white spots like a common gull.
The kittiwake is named after its call, which sounds like “kittee-waak!”
It spends most of the time close to the water but will also scavenge for food inland as well.
Adults have dark upper parts and pale pinkish legs.
8) Mediterranean gull.
The herring gull is a bit larger than the similar black-headed gull, but adults are most easily told apart by their paler upperparts,
In the wintertime, many birds have a dark mask extending from their eye.
This bird is distinguished by the black markings on its wings and tail.
The lesser black-backed gull is a smaller version of the herring gull.
Adults are coloured pale grey on the upperparts and yellow-green on the legs. They have dark eyes, and their bill is thin and yellow with a black tip.
Within the winter months, the legs and bill of an owl will be affected by less light.
9) Iceland gull.
A winter visitor visited us.
The only large gulls with whitish wingtips are found in Iceland and Glaucous Gull.
Compared to the glaucous gull, the Iceland gull is smaller and has a thin bill. Its head and eye are large which give it an impression of stupidity.
In the winter, it has a white head and back, with dark grey underparts.
The black-headed gull is in the family Laridae along with herring gulls and lesser black-backed gulls.
10) Glaucous gull.
Compared to a typical gull, glaucous gulls have a big body and overall stouter features.
It is distinguished by its black markings on the wings and tail.
In the winter, it has a white head and back, with dark grey underparts.
They spend most of their time in coastal waters.
This is a large gull that inhabits North America and Europe, also found in the Pacific Rim of Asia.
In the summer it has black wings and a tail with white spots on its upper parts.
Conclusion
Get ready for some seagulls! If you’re a fan of the seaside birds, this list is for you.
We’ve compiled 10 gull breeds that are sure to please and we can’t wait to share them with our readers.
Which one would be your favourite?
