# Iceland Gull (*Larus glaucoides*) The Iceland Gull is a beautiful bird that loves cold places! It has soft, pale feathers and can often be seen near the ocean, looking for tasty fish to eat. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Coastal areas ![Iceland Gull](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Adult_Larus_glaucoides%252C_Swallow_Pond_1.jpg&width=800) Photo: MPF, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Adult_Larus_glaucoides%252C_Swallow_Pond_1.jpg) ## Appearance The Iceland Gull is a large, strikingly pale gull with pure white plumage on its head and body. Its back and wings are very light grey, with distinctive all-white wingtips. This lack of any black on its wingtips makes it look uniquely white compared to most other gulls. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Charadriiformes - **Family:** Laridae - **Genus:** Larus ## Interesting facts - Iceland Gulls are expert at finding food near fishing boats for an easy meal. - In winter, some migrate thousands of miles south to visit warmer coastal areas! - They often breed in the Arctic Circle, thriving in incredibly cold, remote places. - This gull's wingtips are completely white, making it look extra bright in the snowy north! ## Special abilities - **Arctic Armor:** Iceland Gulls have incredibly dense, waterproof feathers that help them stay warm and dry in freezing arctic environments. - **Winter Scavenger:** Iceland Gulls can skillfully locate and feed on carrion or discarded food, even in harsh winter conditions. - **Ocean Glider:** Iceland Gulls can soar effortlessly on air currents, conserving energy during long flights over vast open seas. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 50-65 cm - **Wingspan:** 115-150 cm - **Weight:** 0.8-1.5 kg - **Lifespan:** 15-20 years - **Speed:** 55 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 1-3 - **Incubation:** 27-30 days - **Migration Distance:** 2000 km ## Diet & Feeding An opportunistic eater, it enjoys fish, marine invertebrates, and various scraps found near human activity. - **Primary Foods:** Fish, Crustaceans, Mollusks, Carrion, Bird eggs, Refuse - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [Atlantic Cod](https://www.snappit.app/explore/atlantic-cod) (*Gadus morhua*) — Opportunistically feeds on discarded fish or small individuals. - **Eats:** Snow Crab (*Chionoecetes opilio*) — Forages for crustaceans like snow crabs in intertidal zones. - **Eats:** Little Auk (*Alle alle*) — Preys on eggs and chicks of colonial seabirds. - **Depends on:** Humans (*Homo sapiens*) — Scavenges food waste and discards from fishing activities. ## 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. - [Piscivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/piscivorous): Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish. - [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. - [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 do not try to touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Iceland 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 Iceland Gull? 50-65 cm ### What is Iceland Gull's wingspan? 115-150 cm ### How much does Iceland Gull weigh? 0.8-1.5 kg ### How long does Iceland Gull live? 15-20 years ### How fast can Iceland Gull move? 55 km/h ### What does Iceland Gull eat? An opportunistic eater, it enjoys fish, marine invertebrates, and various scraps found near human activity. ### Where is Iceland Gull usually found? Coastal areas ## Where to spot - [New York State Agricultural Experiment Station](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/new-york-state-agricultural-experiment-station) — New York, US · Botanical Garden ## 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: [Iceland Gull: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/iceland-gull)