Short-billed Gull vs Mediterranean Gull
Larus brachyrhynchus compared with Larus melanocephalus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Short-billed Gull | Mediterranean Gull |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Larus brachyrhynchus | Larus melanocephalus |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | — | 60.5 cm (23.8 in) |
| Weight | 395.0 g (13.93 oz) | 282.5 g (9.96 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-5 | 1-5 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Short-billed Gull only
None
Mediterranean Gull only
None
Conservation Status
Not Evaluated
Short-billed Gull
Least Concern
Mediterranean Gull
About These Birds
Short-billed Gull
Short-billed Gull, 40–45 cm, breeds in interior Alaska and western Canada, wintering on the Pacific coast. Recently split from Common Gull; slightly smaller with a shorter bill and more rounded head. Omnivore; often inland on grasslands and agricultural fields during migration. Migratory.
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.