ExploreBird

Great Black-backed Gull

Larus marinus

The Great Black-backed Gull is the largest gull in North America. With its dark wings, it's easy to spot!

Habitat: Coastal areas and islands

Appearance

The Great Black-backed Gull is a very large, powerful gull with a distinctive dark slate-gray to black back and upperwings, contrasting sharply with its pure white head and underparts. It has a thick, yellow bill with a prominent red spot near the tip, and pinkish legs.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderCharadriiformesFamilyLaridaeGenusLarus

Great Black-backed Gull

Interesting facts

Adults have lived over 30 years in the wild, soaring the coasts!

Great Black-backed Gulls can swallow whole rats or small rabbits!

They sometimes steal fish directly from other birds, even puffins!

This giant gull is the largest gull species in the world!

Special abilities

Great Black-backed Gull can digest almost anything because of powerful stomach acid that helps them eat diverse foods from carrion to garbage.

Great Black-backed Gull can spot prey from high above with keen eyesight that helps them find fish, other birds, or even small mammals.

Great Black-backed Gull has a wide gape and strong jaws that help them swallow surprisingly large prey whole or tear it into pieces.

Great Black-backed Gull can soar effortlessly on coastal winds because of its broad wings that help them cover vast distances over the sea.

Measurements & details

Length: 64-79 cm
Wingspan: 150-170 cm
Weight: 1.3-2.5 kg
Lifespan: 20-30 years
Top Speed: 65 km/h
Clutch Size: 2-4
Incubation: 26-28 days
Migration Distance: 1500 km

Diet & Feeding

A mighty eater, they feast on fish, small birds, eggs, and anything else they can find!

Primary Foods

Fish
Other bird chicks
Eggs
Carrion
Marine invertebrates
Refuse

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

hunts

Herring Gull

Larus argentatus

preys on eggs and chicks of smaller gull species

hunts

Atlantic Puffin

Fratercula arctica

a known predator of puffin chicks and eggs

eats

Atlantic Cod

Gadus morhua

preys on various fish, including young cod

eats

Harbor Seal

Phoca vitulina

often scavenges on the carcasses of dead seals

Traits

Wildlife

Step into the incredible world of wild animals and plants living freely in nature. From tiny insects to towering trees, it's all part of the wild wonders around us!

Feathered

These are animals covered in soft, beautiful feathers that help them fly, stay warm, and even attract mates! Think of all the amazing birds you know.

Webbed Feet

These animals have special feet with skin between their toes, which helps them swim super fast!

Social

Discover creatures that love to live and work together! These animals form groups, helping each other find food, stay safe, and raise their young.

Piscivorous

Discover amazing animals that love to eat fish! They're like expert underwater hunters, always on the lookout for a tasty meal from the rivers, lakes, and oceans.

Coastal

Discover life found along the edges where land meets the sea! These habitats are always changing with the tides and waves, offering unique environments.

Migratory

Follow incredible journeys across the world! These animals travel far and wide at different times of the year, often to find better food or warmer places.