Key information
Slightly smaller than a herring gull, the lesser black-backed gull has a dark grey to black back and wings, yellow bill and yellow legs. Their world population is found entirely in Europe. After declines in the 19th century due to persecution they increased their range and numbers. This expansion has now halted and there is serious concern about declines in many parts of its range. The species is on the Amber List because the UK is home to 40 per cent of the European population and more than half of these are found at fewer than ten sites.
What they eat:
Omnivore - scavenges a wide range of food.
Measurements:
- Length:
- 52-64cm
- Wingspan:
- 135-150cm
- Weight:
- 620-1,000g
Population:
- UK breeding:
- 110,000 pairs
- UK wintering:
- 130,000 birds
Identifying features:
This bird species has different identifying features depending on sex/age/season.
Lesser black-backed gull
Lesser black-backed gull (first-winter plumage)
Lesser black-backed gull (second-winter plumage)
