# Heermann's Gull (*Larus heermanni*) Heermann's Gulls are beautiful birds with gray feathers and bright red bills. They love to hang out by the ocean and are great at catching fish! - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 15 - **Habitat:** Coastal areas ![Heermann's Gull](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Larus_heermanni13.JPG&width=800) Photo: Basar, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Larus_heermanni13.JPG) ## Appearance The Heermann's Gull has a distinctive dark grey body with a bright white head during breeding season, contrasting sharply with its vibrant red bill tipped in black. Its overall dark plumage and red bill make it easily stand out from other gulls. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Charadriiformes - **Family:** Laridae - **Genus:** Larus ## Interesting facts - Most Heermann's Gulls breed on a single island off Mexico called Isla Rasa! Wow! - Their white breeding heads turn dark grey in winter, making them look totally different! Wow! - These gulls are unique for flying \*north\* after breeding, then south for winter! Wow! - They often hang around Brown Pelicans, waiting to snatch fish right from their pouches! Wow! ## Special abilities - **Master Fisher:** Heermann's Gull can dive into the ocean to catch fish because it has excellent eyesight and a strong, sharp bill. - **Food Snatcher:** Heermann's Gull can steal meals from other birds, like pelicans, because it is quick and opportunistic. - **Reverse Migrator:** Heermann's Gull has a unique post-breeding migration that takes it north first, then south for winter. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 46-54 cm - **Wingspan:** 120-134 cm - **Weight:** 0.31-0.6 kg - **Lifespan:** 12-18 years - **Speed:** 55 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 1-4 - **Incubation:** 27-30 days - **Migration Distance:** 4000 km ## Diet & Feeding They mostly eat fish but aren't picky, often snatching snacks from other birds or scavenging! - **Primary Foods:** Pacific sardine, Northern anchovy, Squid, Crabs, Insects, Fish scraps - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Depends on:** [Brown Pelican](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-pelican) (*Pelecanus occidentalis*) — Often follows them to steal fish. - **Eats:** Pacific Sardine (*Sardinops sagax*) — A primary food source for adults. - **Eats:** Northern Anchovy (*Engraulis mordax*) — Another key fish in their diet. - **Eaten by:** [Peregrine Falcon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/peregrine-falcon) (*Falco peregrinus*) — A powerful predator that hunts gulls. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Aerial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aerial): Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting. - [Piscivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/piscivorous): Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish. - [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Marine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/marine): Marine habitats encompass all saltwater environments of the Earth's oceans, supporting an immense diversity of aquatic life. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch birds from a distance and don't try to touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Heermann's Gull? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Heermann's Gull? 46-54 cm ### What is Heermann's Gull's wingspan? 120-134 cm ### How much does Heermann's Gull weigh? 0.31-0.6 kg ### How long does Heermann's Gull live? 12-18 years ### How fast can Heermann's Gull move? 55 km/h ### What does Heermann's Gull eat? They mostly eat fish but aren't picky, often snatching snacks from other birds or scavenging! ### Where is Heermann's Gull usually found? Coastal areas ## Where to spot - [Crystal Cove Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/crystal-cove-historic-district) — California, US · Historic District - [Point Dume State Beach](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/point-dume-state-beach) — California, US · State Park - [Presidio Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/presidio-park) — California, US · Nature Reserve - [Theater District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/theater-district) — California, US · Historic District - [Andree Clark Bird Refuge](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/andree-clark-bird-refuge) — California, US · Nature Reserve - [Aquatic Park Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/aquatic-park-historic-district) — California, US · Historic District [View all places to see Heermann's Gull](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/heermanns-gull) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Heermann's Gull: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/heermanns-gull)