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    Yellow-legged gull

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    That red spot on their yellow bill isn’t just for show; it serves as a “feeding button” for their chicks

    Jörg Hempel








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    Yellow-legged gull

    EXEWCRENVUNTLCDDNE

    That red spot on their yellow bill isn’t just for show; it serves as a “feeding button” for their chicks

    Population

    For a long time, it was considered just a subspecies of the herring gull, but it has since been recognized as its own distinct, powerful species. Physically, it is a large, imposing bird with a snow-white head, a medium-grey back, and—as the name suggests—bright, vivid yellow legs. What technically separates it from the similar-looking lesser black-backed gull is its size (it’s much bulkier) and its back color, which is a lighter, “concrete” grey rather than a dark charcoal.

    What truly separates the yellow-legged gull from its northern cousins is its Mediterranean temperament. It is a bolder, more aggressive predator. While other gulls might wait for a fish to surface, the yellow-legged gull is known to actively hunt other birds, such as swifts, storm-petrels, and even pigeons. They are the “apex predators” of the coastal skies, using their massive, bulbous bills—complete with a bright red spot on the lower mandible—to deliver a powerful bite.

    The “humanized” side of this gull is its confidence. These birds aren’t just adapted to cities; they own them. In places like Rome, Istanbul, or Barcelona, they nest on the rooftops of historic cathedrals and apartment buildings. They have a very piercing, pale yellow eye with a thin red ring around it (called an orbital ring) that gives them a constant “glare,” making them look like they are perpetually judging the tourists below.

    Distribution

    Country
    Population est.
    Status
    Year
    Comments
    Albania
    2019
    Algeria
    2019
    Austria
    2019
    Bahrain
    2019
    Vagrant
    Belarus
    2019
    Belgium
    2019
    Bosnia And Herz.
    2019
    Bulgaria
    2019
    Cape Verde
    2019
    Vagrant
    Croatia
    2019
    Cyprus
    2019
    Czechia
    2019
    Denmark
    2019
    Non-Breeding
    Egypt
    2019
    Finland
    2019
    Vagrant
    France
    2019
    Gambia
    2019
    Vagrant
    Georgia
    2019
    Non-Breeding
    Germany
    2019
    Gibraltar
    2019
    Greece
    2019
    Hungary
    2019
    Ireland
    2019
    Vagrant
    Israel
    2019
    Italy
    2019
    Jordan
    2019
    Lebanon
    2019
    Libya
    2019
    Non-Breeding
    Liechtenstein
    2019
    Vagrant
    Malta
    2019
    Mauritania
    2019
    Non-Breeding
    Monaco
    2019
    Montenegro
    2019
    Morocco
    2019
    Netherlands
    2019
    Nigeria
    2019
    Vagrant
    North Macedonia
    2019
    Breeding
    Poland
    2019
    Portugal
    2019
    Azores
    Saudi Arabia
    2019
    Non-Breeding
    Senegal
    2019
    Vagrant
    Serbia
    2019
    Slovakia
    2019
    Slovenia
    2019
    Spain
    2019
    Sweden
    2019
    Vagrant
    Switzerland
    2019
    Syria
    2019
    Tunisia
    2019
    Turkey
    2019
    United Kingdom
    2019

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    Get to know me

    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

    EXEWCRENVUNTLCDDNE
    Least Concern(IUCN)
    World Population
    Honorary Patron: BioDB
    Become a Patron

    Threats

    Habitat destruction / Climate change / Freshwater pollution / Marine pollution / Deforestation / Farming / Fishing practices / Poaching & wildlife trade / Invasive species / Parasites & diseases / Noise pollution / Light pollution

    My ID

    Scientific name: Larus michahellis Other names:

    Western yellow-legged gull Number of subspecies: 2 Name of subspecies:

    L. m. atlantis (Atlantic gull)
    L. m. michahellis

    Physical traits

    Length: 52 – 68 cm (20 – 27 in) Weight: 550 – 1,600 g (1 – 4 pounds) Lifespan: 11 – 13 years Wingspan: 120 – 155 cm (47 – 61 in) Incubation: 27 – 31 days Eggs: 2 – 3 eggs
    Habitats: Urban Coastal Marine Fresh water Lakes Marsh Swamp Rivers
    Regions: Africa Asia Europe
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