North American field guide
Great Black-backed Gull
Larus marinus
Identification
Field notes
71-78 cm (28-31") Common on Atlantic coast, uncommon inland on Great Lakes. Our largest gull, larger than Herring Gull. White head, underparts and tail; pitch black mantle (back and upper wings); pale eyes; massive yellow bill with red spot; pink legs. Lesser Black-backed Gull is similar but is much smaller with yellow legs, a more slender bill and a slightly paler mantle.
Song: deep "keeow" or "owk".
Details in the field
Photo gallery
Watch and learn
Videos
Great black-backed gull versus carrion crow
Credit: Bob FordGreat Black Backed Gull & Flatfish
Credit: Keith RossHow Nature Works: Gull Territoriality
Credit: Cornell Lab of Ornithology057
Credit: Mick DavisWhere it lives
Distribution maps
Source legend · original intervals
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Unshaded in source · does not imply absence
Generic and winter maps may use different intervals.
Bird Advisor Identification rules 1 variant · 1 rule
These are the observation paths the Bird Advisor can use to identify this species. Each rule is an alternative match.
Great Black-backed Gull
1 ruleRule 1 11 criteria · confidence 3
- What colour were the LEGS or FEET ?
- Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Red, or pink · Unknown
- What SHAPE was the TAIL ?
- Square or slightly notched at the end · Rounded at the end · Unknown
- What colour was the BACK ?
- Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
- What colour was the BREAST ?
- White, or pale (grayish-white) · Unknown
- What SHAPE was the BILL ?
- Straight and thick · Hooked · Unknown
- What LENGTH was the BILL ?
- Short · Medium · Unknown
- What colour were the EYES ?
- White or light gray · Yellow or olive · Unknown
- What colour was the TOP of HEAD ?
- White, or pale (grayish-white) · Unknown
- How BIG was the bird ?
- Crow-sized · Goose-sized · Larger than a goose
- What TYPE of bird was seen ?
- Gull-like, or a Seabird
- WHERE was the bird seen ?
- Northeastern Canada or United States · Southeastern United States