Mediterranean Gull vs Grey Gull

Larus melanocephalus compared with Larus modestus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Mediterranean Gull Grey Gull
Scientific Name Larus melanocephalus Larus modestus
Order Charadriiformes Charadriiformes
Family Laridae Laridae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 60.5 cm (23.8 in) 63.6 cm (25.0 in)
Weight 282.5 g (9.96 oz) 325.0 g (11.46 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 1-5 1-4
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Mediterranean Gull only

Grey Gull only

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Mediterranean Gull

Least Concern

Grey 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.

Grey Gull

Grey Gull, 45–48 cm, breeds in the Atacama Desert of Chile, one of the driest places on earth, nesting far from the coast. Uniform grey body, white head in breeding plumage. Each night adults fly 70–100 km to Humboldt Current coast to feed on fish and invertebrates before returning to chicks.

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