Mediterranean Gull vs Yellow-legged Gull

Larus melanocephalus compared with Larus michahellis

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Mediterranean Gull Yellow-legged Gull
Scientific Name Larus melanocephalus Larus michahellis
Order Charadriiformes Charadriiformes
Family Laridae Laridae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 60.5 cm (23.8 in) 84.6 cm (33.3 in)
Weight 282.5 g (9.96 oz) 1106.6666666666667 g (39.04 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 1-5 2-3
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Mediterranean Gull only

Yellow-legged Gull only

None

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Mediterranean Gull

Least Concern

Yellow-legged Gull

About These Birds

Mediterranean Gull

Mediterranean Gull, 36–38 cm, has expanded dramatically since the 1970s, breeding across Europe from the Black Sea to Britain. Pure white body, jet-black hood in breeding plumage — the only gull with entirely white wingtips. Piscivore and invertivore; nests in colonies, often with Black-headed Gulls.

Yellow-legged Gull

Yellow-legged Gull, 52–68 cm, is the large gull of Mediterranean and Atlantic Iberian coasts. Yellow legs distinguish it from the pink-legged Herring Gull; darker grey mantle. Omnivore; highly adaptable — increasing in urban areas and landfills across southern Europe and North Africa.

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