Heermann's Gull vs Sooty Gull

Larus heermanni compared with Larus hemprichii

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Heermann's Gull Sooty Gull
Scientific Name Larus heermanni Larus hemprichii
Order Charadriiformes Charadriiformes
Family Laridae Laridae
Conservation Status Near Threatened Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 67.2 cm (26.5 in) 68.2 cm (26.9 in)
Weight 448.26666666666665 g (15.81 oz) 455.0 g (16.05 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 1-2 1-3
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Heermann's Gull only

None

Sooty Gull only

None

Conservation Status

Near Threatened

Heermann's Gull

Least Concern

Sooty Gull

About These Birds

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.

Sooty Gull

Sooty Gull, 43–47 cm, breeds around the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, and Indian Ocean coasts. Sooty brown head and upper breast in breeding plumage, dark greenish bill with red and yellow tip. Omnivore; scavenges fish offal at ports and forages along rocky shores. Resident throughout year on breeding coasts.

More Birds to Explore

Explore the Nature FYI Family