Scientific name: Larus hyperboreus Gunnerus, 1767
Bird group: Gulls and Terns
Field characters. 62-68 cm. Very similar to Iceland Gull, but adults distinguishable by yellow orbital ring, longer and stouter bill, larger size, and wings which do not extend beyond tail when folded. Adult breeding plumage white except for pale bluish grey back and wings; wing-tips white. Bill deep yellow with red spot on gonys, legs pale pink. Non-breeding adult with head, neck, mantle, and breast streaked with pale grey-brown. Juvenile light cream, entirely streaked with pale dusky-brown; bill creamy brown with sharply demarcated black tip (unlike bill of juvenile Iceland Gull); usually lighter plumage than juvenile Iceland Gull. Gregarious, although it often also occurs singly. Flight reminiscent of other large gulls. Markedly more aggressive than Iceland Gull.
Voice. In general similar to Herring Gull, but somewhat shriller and hoarser; usually silent.
Distribution. A fairly rare breeding bird in the northern part of the area; outside the breeding season, occurs fairly regularly in Scandinavia and Great Britain, and further southwards during severe winters.
Habitat. Breeds on steep cliffs (often mingling with Kittiwake) and rocky coastal islands; outside breeding season on sea-coast and in harbours, and sometimes on inland lakes and rivers.
Food. Chiefly animal matter, either caught alive or as carrion; also human refuse and some vegetable material such as seaweed and berries.