Gulls and terns · Shorebirds
European Herring Gull
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Larus argentatus
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Voice
Song
Alarm
Call
How to recognize it
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54–60 cm long
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In breeding plumage: white head and underparts, pale grey back
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Adults: black wingtips with white spots; yellow bill with a red spot, pinkish legs
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Smooth soaring flight with few wingbeats; loud, harsh laughing call, "ha-ha-ha"
About the species
An adult European Herring Gull has a white head and underside, with a light grey back and wings. Its black wingtips have small white spots, and a red mark sits on the yellow bill. Brown streaks appear on the head and neck in winter. Where their ranges overlap, the Lesser Black-backed Gull has a much darker grey back and yellow legs.
Its loud, rough call has a laughing rhythm, often starting with the head bowed before it tips back. When a shellfish will not open, it may carry it up and drop it onto rocks; it also steals food from other gulls.
It uses sea coasts, lakes and river mouths, and in towns may nest on rooftops and forage around rubbish. Fish, shellfish, insects, carrion and discarded food all feature in its varied diet. Many in western Europe stay through winter, while northern populations move south or toward milder coasts.
Did you know?
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Tap-dancing for earthworms
Herring gulls foot-paddle on damp grass — running on the spot to imitate rainfall and trick earthworms into surfacing.
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City gulls quit migrating
Urban herring gulls have begun abandoning migration entirely — twice as many city birds stay put year-round compared with their rural counterparts, driving a behavioural split between the two populations.
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Confused by public holidays
Herring gulls have learned the human work week — turning up at landfills on weekdays but apparently confused by public holidays, when they wait for hours in vain.
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Where to find
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On rocky sea shores, the European Herring Gull may drop shelled prey from a height onto rocks to crack it open.
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At large lakes, reservoirs and lower river reaches, watch it forage from the water, dipping its head or part of its body below the surface but rarely diving fully.
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In British cities year-round, look on streets near food waste — it picks through scraps.
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In large cities during the breeding season, look to rooftops for nests and listen for pairs calling loudly.
