Lava Gull vs Heermann's Gull
Larus fuliginosus compared with Larus heermanni
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Lava Gull | Heermann's Gull |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Larus fuliginosus | Larus heermanni |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Vulnerable | Near Threatened |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 68.2 cm (26.9 in) | 67.2 cm (26.5 in) |
| Weight | 380.0 g (13.40 oz) | 448.26666666666665 g (15.81 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-2 | 1-2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Vulnerable
Lava Gull
Near Threatened
Heermann's Gull
About These Birds
Lava Gull
Lava Gull, 52–55 cm, is the world's rarest gull — only ~800–1,000 individuals exist, all on the Galápagos Islands. Sooty grey overall, white eyelids, red bill and feet. Scavenges at fishing ports and seal colonies; omnivore. Restricted range makes it highly vulnerable to any environmental change.
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.