European Herring Gull vs Heermann's Gull

Larus argentatus compared with Larus heermanni

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute European Herring Gull Heermann's Gull
Scientific Name Larus argentatus Larus heermanni
Order Charadriiformes Charadriiformes
Family Laridae Laridae
Conservation Status Least Concern Near Threatened
Length
Wingspan 86.2 cm (33.9 in) 67.2 cm (26.5 in)
Weight 1110.0 g (39.15 oz) 448.26666666666665 g (15.81 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 2-3 1-2
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

European Herring Gull only

Heermann's Gull only

None

Conservation Status

Least Concern

European Herring Gull

Near Threatened

Heermann's Gull

About These Birds

European Herring Gull

European Herring Gull, 55–67 cm, wingspan 125–155 cm, is the archetypal large gull of Atlantic Europe. Silver-grey mantle, white body, yellow bill with red spot, pink legs. Omnivore; scavenges in cities and harbours; drops molluscs to crack shells. Partially migratory; declining in recent decades.

Heermann's Gull

Heermann's Gull, 46–51 cm, is distinctive — dark grey body, white head (breeding), red bill. Breeds almost entirely on Isla Rasa in the Gulf of California, then disperses north along the Pacific coast to British Columbia. Kleptoparasite; steals fish from Brown Pelicans. Near Threatened; range highly restricted.

More Birds to Explore

Explore the Nature FYI Family