Gulls and terns · Shorebirds
Lesser Black-backed Gull
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Larus fuscus
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Voice
Alarm
Call
Song
How to recognize it
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48–56 cm long
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Adults: white head and underparts, dark grey or brown-black back and wings
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Bright yellow legs; yellow bill with a red spot at the bend
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Deep-pitched laughing call
About the species
An adult Lesser Black-backed Gull is white below, with a white head and tail, and dark grey or black across its back and wings. Its yellow bill has a red spot near the tip, and its legs are yellow. Small white patches show near the wing tips; in winter, the head can look greyer.
Its call sounds like a low laugh, deeper than a Herring Gull's. At the water's edge it may dive from the surface or drop in from the air; on land, it walks while searching for food and may steal prey rather than catch it itself. Before nesting, pairs call, bow and feed one another.
It nests on coastal grassland, lake shores and, in some cities, rooftops, sometimes in small colonies. It eats fish, insects, shellfish, worms, berries and scraps, and may take eggs or chicks from other nests. Many travel south after breeding, wintering from the British Isles to West Africa.
Where to find
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In coastal cities in spring, look to rooftops: if a local colony runs short of space, the Lesser Black-backed Gull may nest there.
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Along sea shores or large lakes, watch for dives after prey from the water’s surface or from the air.
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Near refuse sites and fishing trawlers, watch for ground foraging — scanning for prey or picking through scraps.
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On coastal meadows in spring, listen for loud courtship calls before nesting.
