Species:

Herring Gull (Larus argentatus)

Jack Snipe (Lymnocryptes minimus)

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Length (cm):
55-64
17-19
Wingspan (cm):
123-148
38-42
Weight (gram):
750-1440
35-73
Size group:
Bigger than a crow
Thrush-size
Main Texts:
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:

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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

CC-sound:Jens Kirkeby, Licence,Link.

Appearance:

Notably smaller, darker and with shorter bill than Common Snipe. Two prominent yellowish back-stripes. Dark wedge-shaped tail, and slightly rounded wings. Lacks median crown-stripe. Flanks spotted, not barred. Diagnostic behaviour: Usually flushed only at close range. Takes off silently, then quickly lands nearby. Whole body bounces rhythmically when feeding.

Sound:

May occasionally give a harsh, nasal and rolling "reearrr" when flushed, but is usually silent. Display call a peculiar, cyclic and rhythmic sound performed in flight. Recalling a galloping horse in the distance. "Galloping" interspersed with cyclic, whistling, hissing sounds. Hard to locate when displaying. Seems both close and distant at the same time.

Song:

Error loading Flash for sound!
See sound file


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

Featherbase

CC

CC-photo:nhtbzk, Licence,Link,

CC-photo:Radovan Václav, Licence,Link,

CC-sound:Stein Ø. Nilsen, Licence,Link.

Similar species (image):
Silhouette Group:
Gull-like
Silhouette
Waders
Silhouette
Several different images of the species
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Several different sounds of the species
Error loading Flash for sound!
See sound file
Error loading Flash for sound!
See sound file
Error loading Flash for sound!
See sound file