Species:

Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia)

Common Gull (Larus canus)

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Length (cm):
80-90
40-42
Wingspan (cm):
115-130
100-115
Weight (gram):
1130-1960
300-480
Size group:
Bigger than a crow
Crow-size
Main Texts:
Appearance:

Largely unmistakable, but might be mistaken for an egret when at a distance. Differs from these in bill-shape and in neck held straight (not retracted) in flight. Plumage white with yellowish half collar and neck tuft in breeding season. Bill and legs dark. Immature birds with black tips to primaries and pinkish bill. Characteristic feeding behaviour with sweeping bill-motions from side to side. Wing-beats slower than Glossy Ibis, and flocks generally fly in single file.

Sound:

Mostly silent, and of little use for identification. Soft utterances can be heard when feeding, and when interacting at nest.

Distribution:

Xeno-canto: map

Ecology:

Birdlife ecology

Links:

Observation.org Latest observations

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

CC

CC-photo:Agustín Povedano, 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:

Error loading Flash for sound!
See sound file


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

Similar species (image):
Similar species (sound):
Silhouette Group:
Heron-like
Silhouette
Gull-like
Silhouette
Several different images of the species
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Several different sounds of the species