Black-tailed Gull vs Red-legged Kittiwake

Larus crassirostris compared with Rissa brevirostris

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Black-tailed Gull Red-legged Kittiwake
Scientific Name Larus crassirostris Rissa brevirostris
Order Charadriiformes Charadriiformes
Family Laridae Laridae
Conservation Status Least Concern Vulnerable
Length
Wingspan 72.8 cm (28.7 in) 60.0 cm (23.6 in)
Weight 675.0 g (23.81 oz) 401.6666666666667 g (14.17 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 2-3 1-3
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Black-tailed Gull only

None

Red-legged Kittiwake only

None

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Black-tailed Gull

Vulnerable

Red-legged Kittiwake

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.

Red-legged Kittiwake

Red-legged Kittiwake, 35–39 cm, has a very restricted range on only four Aleutian and Pribilof Island colonies, with a world population under 200,000. Resembles Black-legged Kittiwake but with bright red legs, darker upperparts, and white underwing tips. Pelagic piscivore; Vulnerable and declining.

More Birds to Explore

Explore the Nature FYI Family