Gulls and terns · Shorebirds
Glaucous Gull
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Larus hyperboreus
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How to recognize it
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64–65 cm long
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Very pale plumage; no black on wings or tail
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Adults with a thick yellow bill; juveniles with a pink-and-black bill
About the species
Mostly white, the Glaucous Gull has pale gray across its back and wings, white wingtips, and no black on its wings or tail. Adults have a thick yellow bill and yellowish-pink legs. Juveniles are very pale too, but their bills are pink with a black tip.
Its call is a deep, laughing cry, lower than a Herring Gull’s. It scavenges scraps and carrion, and may take eggs and chicks from other nests.
It breeds on Arctic coasts and cliffs, and less often in coastal tundra, nesting on the ground or on ledges alone or in small colonies. Its varied diet includes fish, molluscs, insects, starfish, berries, seeds, and grains. In winter it moves south along North Atlantic and Pacific shores, reaching the British Isles, northern United States, and Great Lakes.
Where to find
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In wintering areas along the coast, look for Glaucous Gulls feeding on fish or carrion near the water.
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During the Arctic breeding season, look along coastal cliffs for nests on ledges or ground and adults incubating eggs.
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Near seabird colonies, watch for attempts to take eggs and chicks.
