Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Laridae
Species: Larus argentatus (European Herring Gull)
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Population Trend: decreasing
Distribution: around coasts of Britain, rest of Europe, Scandinavia, Mediterranean. Widespread inland in winter.
Habitat: breeds in most coastal areas on cliffs, slopes, low-lying coasts and buildings in coastal towns. Moves inland in flocks outside breeding season, often living around reservoirs.
Description: silver-grey back, white head, neck and underparts; black wing tips with white spots or patches; heavy looking bill with red spot on underside; flesh-coloured legs. Immature gulls are speckled brown and grey.
Size: 56 - 66cm in length.
Life-span: up to 30 years or more.
Food: fish, shrimps, prawns, crabs, small mammals and birds, eggs, grain, carrion and edible rubbish.
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