North American field guide
Herring Gull
Larus argentatus
Identification
Field notes
58-66 cm (23-26") Abundant along both coasts, common inland near water along lakes, rivers, dumps, fields, parks. Large, goose-sized gull. White head, underparts and tail; pale gray mantle; black wing tips with white spots; yellow eyes; stout yellow bill with red spot; flesh-colored legs.
Winter adults similar but head streaked in brown.
Similar west coast's Thayer's Gull has darker eyes and darker pink legs.
Song: mewing, squeals, and cries.
Details in the field
Photo gallery
Watch and learn
Videos
herring gulls by ani male
Credit: Ani MaleHerring gull pair
Credit: Bob FordWhere 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.
Herring Gull
1 ruleRule 1 10 criteria · confidence 9
- What colour were the LEGS or FEET ?
- Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Red, or pink · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Unknown
- What SHAPE was the TAIL ?
- Square or slightly notched at the end · Rounded at the end · Unknown
- What colour was the BACK ?
- White, or pale (grayish-white) · Gray, or blue-gray · 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
- What TYPE of bird was seen ?
- Gull-like, or a Seabird