A medium-sized gull that is commonly found along the coasts of Europe and parts of North America. This bird is known for its sleek black or dark gray back, which gives it its name, as well as its adaptability to different environments. It is often seen near beaches, harbors, lakes, and even in cities, where it takes advantage of both natural and human-made food sources.
One of the most distinctive features of the lesser black-backed gull is its black or dark gray wings and back, which contrast sharply with its white head, neck, and underparts. Its legs are a bright yellow color, and its beak is yellow with a red spot near the tip, a common feature of many gull species. During the breeding season, these gulls can be seen with their bright white and black feathers standing out against the blue sky or ocean, making them easy to identify.
Lesser black-backed gulls are skilled hunters and scavengers. They have a varied diet that includes fish, small mammals, insects, and even garbage when living near humans. They are opportunistic feeders, meaning they will eat whatever is available. Their strong beaks allow them to break into tough food sources, and they are known for stealing food from other birds or animals when the opportunity arises. This behavior shows their intelligence and ability to adapt to different situations.
These gulls are also excellent fliers with strong wings that allow them to travel long distances in search of food or nesting sites. They are migratory birds, spending the breeding season in northern Europe and then flying south to warmer areas during the winter. Some lesser black-backed gulls migrate as far as North Africa, while others stay in coastal areas closer to their breeding grounds.
Distribution
Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
Angola
Anguilla
Antigua & Barbuda
Argentina
Aruba
Australia
Austria
Bahamas
Bahrain
Barbados
Belarus
Belgium
Benin
Bermuda
Bosnia And Herz.
Botswana
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cameroon
Canada
Cape Verde
Central Af. Rep.
Chad
Comoros
Congo-Brazzaville
Croatia
Cuba
Cyprus
Czechia
Côte D’ivoire
DR Congo (Kinshasa)
Denmark
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Estonia
Ethiopia
Faroe Islands
Finland
France
French Guiana
Gabon
Gambia
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
Gibraltar
Greece
Greenland
Guadeloupe
Guinea-Bissau
Guinea
Hungary
Iceland
India
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Latvia
Lebanon
Liberia
Libya
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malawi
Mali
Malta
Martinique
Mauritania
Mayotte
Mexico
Mongolia
Montenegro
Montserrat
Morocco
Mozambique
Namibia
Netherlands
Niger
Nigeria
North Macedonia
Norway
Oman
Panama
Poland
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Qatar
Romania
Russia
Rwanda
Saint Lucia
Saint Pierre
Saint Vincent
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Slovakia
Slovenia
Somalia
South Africa
South Sudan
Spain
Sri Lanka
St. Kitts & Nevis
Sudan
Svalbard
Sweden
Switzerland
Syria
Tanzania
Togo
Trinidad & Tobago
Tunisia
Turkmenistan
Turkey
UAE
US Virgin Islands
Uganda
Ukraine
United Kingdom
United States
Uzbekistan
Venezuela
Yemen
Zambia
ZimbabweAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Flock
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
