Great Black-Backed Gull
Larus marinus
Aves › Charadriiformes › Laridae › Larus
Conservation status: least_concern
This is the largest member of the gull and tern family Laridae. It is a very aggressive hunter, pirate and scavenger that breeds on the North Atlantic coasts and islands of northern Europe and northeastern North America.
How To Identify
It is one of the largest gulls in its region, typically exhibiting striking plumage where males have deep black backs contrasting sharply with white heads and rumps.
Habitat
It typically inhabits rocky coastlines, sea cliffs, and islands in the North Atlantic and Arctic regions, often nesting in colonies on isolated rocky outcrops.
Behaviour
These gulls are highly territorial and aggressive, fiercely defending their nesting sites and food sources from other birds and competing gulls.
Native Range
The Great Black-Backed Gull is native to coastal areas from the extreme northwest portion of Russia through much of coastal Scandinavia on the Baltic Sea coasts to the coasts of northwestern France the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Did You Know?
Great Black-backed Gulls are among the largest gull species and are formidable predators that can catch and eat other seabirds, including puffins and young auks, making them apex predators of coastal ecosystems.
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