Lesser Black-backed Gull - Definition and Overview

Lesser Black-backed Gull
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Charadriiformes Family: Laridae Genus: Larus Species: fuscus
Binomial name
Larus fuscus Linnaeus, 1758

The Lesser Black-backed Gull, Larus fuscus is a large gull which breeds on the Atlantic coasts of Europe. It is migratory, wintering from the British Isles south to West Africa. A regular winter visitor to the east coast of North America, probably from the breeding population in Iceland.

This species breeds colonially on coasts and lakes, making a lined nest on the ground or cliff. Normally, three eggs are laid.

This is similar in size to the Herring Gull. The only confusion species is Great Black-backed Gull. Lesser is a smaller bird, with slimmer build, yellow rather than pinkish legs and smaller white "mirrors" at the wing tips. The adults have black or dark grey (depending on race) wings and back. The bill is yellow with a red spot. The head is greyer in winter, unlike Great Black-backed.

Young birds have scaly black-brown upperparts, and a neat wing pattern. They take four years to reach maturity. The call is a "laughing" cry like Herring Gull, to which this species is closely related.

These are omnivores like most Larus gulls, and they will scavenge as well as seeking suitable small prey.