Scientific name: Larus argentatus Pontoppidan, 1763
Bird group: Gulls and Terns
Field characters. 55-66 cm. Highly variable in size, with male considerably larger than female. May be confused with Common Gull, but is much larger, with heavier bill (with red spot on gonys) and flesh-pink legs. Part of the Baltic population shows yellowish to yellow legs; may be separated from Yellow-legged Gull by paler grey mantle and more white in wingtip. Black wing-tips distinguish this species and Common Gull from Glaucous Gull and Iceland Gull. Mantle and upperwing are pale bluish grey; wing-tips black with white spots; rest of plumage white. Winter plumage similar, but with some greyish streaks on head, neck and upper breast. Juvenile is difficult to distinguish from juvenile Lesser Black-backed Gull; in flight, somewhat more uniform in appearance, without obvious contrast between subterminal band on tail and surrounding parts and with contrast between dark outer and lighter inner primaries (all primaries dark in juvenile Lesser Black-backed Gull). A common gull, which is markedly more aggressive than its congeners.
Voice. A repeated, harsh "kyow" is its most common call; a wide variety of other calls is also heard.
Distribution. A common breeding bird; locally very common. Northernmost populations are migratory, but others are resident.
Habitat. Breeds at or near coast in colonies, on coastal cliffs, islands and beaches, and in recent years, also on buildings. Outside breeding season, habitat choice similar, but can also be found inland on freshly ploughed fields and refuse dumps.
Food. Will eat any kind of animal matter, be it alive or dead; also some vegetable matter and human refuse.