Mediterranean Gull vs Red-legged Kittiwake
Larus melanocephalus compared with Rissa brevirostris
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Mediterranean Gull | Red-legged Kittiwake |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Larus melanocephalus | Rissa brevirostris |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Vulnerable |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 60.5 cm (23.8 in) | 60.0 cm (23.6 in) |
| Weight | 282.5 g (9.96 oz) | 401.6666666666667 g (14.17 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-5 | 1-3 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Mediterranean Gull only
Red-legged Kittiwake only
None
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Mediterranean Gull
Vulnerable
Red-legged Kittiwake
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.
Red-legged Kittiwake
Red-legged Kittiwake, 35–39 cm, has a very restricted range on only four Aleutian and Pribilof Island colonies, with a world population under 200,000. Resembles Black-legged Kittiwake but with bright red legs, darker upperparts, and white underwing tips. Pelagic piscivore; Vulnerable and declining.