European Herring Gull vs Mediterranean Gull
Larus argentatus compared with Larus melanocephalus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | European Herring Gull | Mediterranean Gull |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Larus argentatus | Larus melanocephalus |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 86.2 cm (33.9 in) | 60.5 cm (23.8 in) |
| Weight | 1110.0 g (39.15 oz) | 282.5 g (9.96 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2-3 | 1-5 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
European Herring Gull only
Mediterranean Gull only
Conservation Status
Least Concern
European Herring Gull
Least Concern
Mediterranean 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.
Mediterranean Gull
Mediterranean Gull, 36–38 cm, has expanded dramatically since the 1970s, breeding across Europe from the Black Sea to Britain. Pure white body, jet-black hood in breeding plumage — the only gull with entirely white wingtips. Piscivore and invertivore; nests in colonies, often with Black-headed Gulls.