ExploreBirds

Short-billed Gull

Larus brachyrhynchus

The Short-billed Gull is a playful bird that loves to hang out near water. With its short, stubby bill, it can catch tasty fish and snacks from the shore!

Habitat: Coastal areas

Appearance

The Short-billed Gull is a medium-sized gull with a clean white head and underparts, a grey back, and grey wings tipped with black. It has greenish-yellow legs and a distinctive short, slender yellow bill, which often shows a subtle dark band.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderCharadriiformesFamilyLaridaeGenusLarus
Short-billed Gull
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Short-billed Gull

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

2/5 · Low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Baby Short-billed Gulls wear fuzzy, spotted camouflage for hiding from predators.

In winter, their clean white heads turn streaky brown, like a subtle disguise!

Sometimes, they drop clams onto rocks from the air to crack them open!

They stomp their feet on the ground to trick worms into coming up!

Special abilities

Ability

Spotlight Vision

Short-billed Gull has keen eyesight that helps them spot tiny fish and insects from high in the sky.

Ability

Feathered Raincoat

Short-billed Gull has waterproof feathers that keep them warm and dry, even after diving into chilly water.

Ability

Migration Navigator

Short-billed Gull can fly thousands of kilometers using an amazing sense of direction to find their winter homes.

Ability

Adaptable Appetite

Short-billed Gull can eat many different foods, helping them find meals in various habitats like coasts and fields.

Measurements & details

Length
41-49 cm
Wingspan
104-124 cm
Weight
0.32-0.55 kg
Lifespan
10-20 years
Top Speed
60 km/h
Clutch Size
2-4
Incubation
23-28 days
Migration Distance
4000 km

Diet & Feeding

These gulls are expert scavengers and hunters, eating almost anything they can find, from fish to insects!

Primary Foods

  • fish
  • marine invertebrates
  • insects
  • worms
  • berries
  • carrion

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

2/5 · Low

Always watch gulls from a distance, as they can be protective of their food.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Short-billed Gull?

41-49 cm

What is Short-billed Gull's wingspan?

104-124 cm

How much does Short-billed Gull weigh?

0.32-0.55 kg

How long does Short-billed Gull live?

10-20 years

How fast can Short-billed Gull move?

60 km/h

What does Short-billed Gull eat?

These gulls are expert scavengers and hunters, eating almost anything they can find, from fish to insects!

Where is Short-billed Gull usually found?

Coastal areas

How does Short-billed Gull hunt?

Foraging

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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