European Herring Gull

Larus argentatus · Bird

The herring gull keeps to coasts and nests in noisy colonies on flat islands, cliffs and, in towns, on rooftops, with northern birds moving south for the winter. It eats almost anything, from dead fish and rubbish to rats, and boldly snatches food from people. In the nineteenth century its eggs and feathers were gathered for sale.

Danger

Harmless

How it is met

In colonies, by day

Size

Tiny

In winter

Leaves for winter

Where it lives

Lake, Rocky Shore, Sandy Shore

Gives

European Herring Gull Egg, European Herring Gull Feathers

Sources

• Shane Spencer; edited by Tanya Dewey, Larus argentatus (herring gull). Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, 2008.

Open it in Biomes — MGS Toolbox