# Herring Gull (*Larus argentatus*) The Herring Gull is a big, gray-and-white bird often seen near the ocean. It has a loud call and loves to scavenge for food! - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 12 - **Habitat:** Coastal areas, beaches, and urban locations - **Also known as:** Mew Gull ![Herring Gull](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425888/objects/4621.jpg) ## Appearance The Herring Gull is a large gull with a pale grey back and white head and underparts. It has a robust yellow bill with a distinctive red spot near the tip, and pink legs. Its slightly darker grey wings and larger size help differentiate it from some smaller, paler gull species. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Charadriiformes - **Family:** Laridae - **Genus:** Larus ## Interesting facts - Herring Gulls can drink both fresh and saltwater thanks to special glands. - The red spot on their bill helps chicks know where to peck for food. - These smart birds often follow fishing boats, knowing where to find easy meals. - They sometimes "foot-patter" on the ground to trick worms into surfacing! ## Special abilities - **Shell Smasher:** Herring Gulls can drop hard-shelled prey from heights to crack them open, helping them access tricky meals. - **Omni-Feeder:** Herring Gulls have an incredibly varied diet, allowing them to thrive by eating almost anything they find. - **Coastal Navigator:** Herring Gulls have powerful, efficient wings that help them fly long distances along coastlines and over water. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 55-67 cm - **Wingspan:** 130-150 cm - **Weight:** 0.75-1.5 kg - **Lifespan:** 15-30 years - **Speed:** 64 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 2-4 - **Incubation:** 28-30 days - **Migration Distance:** 3000 km ## Diet & Feeding These opportunistic eaters munch on almost anything they can find, from fish to discarded snacks! - **Primary Foods:** Fish, Crustaceans, Insects, Eggs, Small mammals, Carrion, Human refuse - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [Great Black-backed Gull](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-black-backed-gull) (*Larus marinus*) — Preys on Herring Gull eggs and chicks. - **Eats:** [Blue Mussel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-mussel) (*Mytilus edulis*) — Gulls drop mussels to crack their shells open. - **Eats:** Lugworm (*Arenicola marina*) — Forages for these worms on sandy beaches. - **Hunts:** [Brown Rat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-rat) (*Rattus norvegicus*) — May prey on young rats or scavenge carrion. ## 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. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Scavenger](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/scavenger): Scavengers consume dead organic matter, helping to decompose carcasses and other waste in the ecosystem. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [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. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. - [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. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Watch quietly from a distance and never try to feed or chase wild animals. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Herring 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 Herring Gull? 55-67 cm ### What is Herring Gull's wingspan? 130-150 cm ### How much does Herring Gull weigh? 0.75-1.5 kg ### How long does Herring Gull live? 15-30 years ### How fast can Herring Gull move? 64 km/h ### What does Herring Gull eat? These opportunistic eaters munch on almost anything they can find, from fish to discarded snacks! ### Where is Herring Gull usually found? Coastal areas, beaches, and urban locations ## Where to spot - [Fota Wildlife Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fota-wildlife-park) — Municipal District of Cobh, IE · Zoo - [Belfast Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/belfast-zoo) — Northern Ireland, GB · Zoo - [Diergaarde Blijdorp](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/diergaarde-blijdorp) — South Holland, NL · Zoo - [Howletts Wild Animal Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/howletts-wild-animal-park) — England, GB · Zoo - [Zoo am Meer](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/zoo-am-meer) — Bremen, DE · Zoo - [Aalborg Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/aalborg-zoo) — North Denmark Region, DK · Zoo [View all places to see Herring Gull](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/herring-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: [Herring Gull: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/herring-gull)