Black-tailed Gull vs Arctic Herring Gull

Larus crassirostris compared with Larus smithsonianus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Black-tailed Gull Arctic Herring Gull
Scientific Name Larus crassirostris Larus smithsonianus
Order Charadriiformes Charadriiformes
Family Laridae Laridae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 72.8 cm (28.7 in) 85.9 cm (33.8 in)
Weight 675.0 g (23.81 oz) 1108.0 g (39.08 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 2-3 2-3
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Black-tailed Gull only

None

Arctic Herring Gull only

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Black-tailed Gull

Least Concern

Arctic Herring Gull

About These Birds

Black-tailed Gull

Black-tailed Gull, 44–48 cm, is common on East Asian coasts from Russia to China, Japan, and Korea. Grey mantle, white body, yellow bill with red spot and black subterminal band, yellow legs. Omnivore; very vocal, known as the 'cat gull' for its mewing calls. Migratory; winters south to Vietnam.

Arctic Herring Gull

Arctic Herring Gull, 55–66 cm, breeds across Arctic North America and winters on all coasts of the US. Formerly lumped with European Herring Gull; darker-eyed on average, slightly more northerly range. Omnivore and scavenger; abundant at fishing ports, dumps, and beaches in winter.

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