Heermann's Gull vs Arctic Herring Gull
Larus heermanni compared with Larus smithsonianus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Heermann's Gull | Arctic Herring Gull |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Larus heermanni | Larus smithsonianus |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 67.2 cm (26.5 in) | 85.9 cm (33.8 in) |
| Weight | 448.26666666666665 g (15.81 oz) | 1108.0 g (39.08 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-2 | 2-3 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Heermann's Gull only
None
Arctic Herring Gull only
Conservation Status
Near Threatened
Heermann's Gull
Least Concern
Arctic Herring 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.
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.