Appearance:

Large gull with deep chest, light grey back and heavy yellow bill with red spot (adult). Pinkish legs and black tipped primaries with white windows. Winter plumage with streaked head and neck. Develops grey mantle in 2.nd winter. Young birds may be difficult to distinguish from juvenile Greater- or Lesser Black-backed Gulls, and the species shows notable variation in both plumage and size. Juveniles generally shows darker head and less contrasting markings than Greater Black-back, and pale inner primaries (window), as opposed to the all black hand of young Lesser Black-backs.

Sound:

Quite vocal. A long and strong "ay-kay-kay-kay-kay" with fading strength commonly heard. A deep "ga-ga-ga" heard from anxious birds. All calls much deeper pitched than Common Gull. Difficult to distinguish from Lesser Black-backed Gull, but tone is less nasal.

Contact call and song:

Distribution:

Wikipedia: map (se also Xeno-canto below)

Ecology:

Birdlife ecology

Links:

Observation.org Latest observations

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

Featherbase

CC

CC-sound:Jens Kirkeby, Licence,Link.

Appearance:

Differs from Herring Gull in smaller size, lighter bill and light flight. Head profile rounded, and the small bill lacks the red spot of the larger gulls. Told apart from Kittwake by greenish legs and large white spot on wing tips. Juveniles quite similar to young Ring-billed Gulls, but latter have paler grey back, heavier, pinkish bill with dark tip, pale mid-wing panel and less contrasting terminal band of tail.

Sound:

Various mewing sounds. Similar in form to Herring Gull, but much higher pitched.

Call:

Distribution:

Wikipedia: map (se also Xeno-canto below)

Ecology:

Birdlife ecology

Links:

Observation.org Latest observations

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

Featherbase

CC