Lesser Black-backed Gull

Larus fuscus

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Identification

Field notes

58 cm (23") Rare but regular visitor to Atlantic coast and Great Lakes from northern Europe. Crow-sized gull, size of Herring Gull. White head, underparts and tail; black mantle (back and upper wings); pale eyes; yellow bill with red spot; yellow legs. Great Black-backed Gull is similar but is much larger with pink legs, a massive bill and blacker mantle.

Song: "kyow" or "owk".

Details in the field

Photo gallery

1 photo

Credit: Maarten van Kleinwee

Watch and learn

Videos

2 videos

Agitated Lesser Black-backed Gull Call

Credit: ospreyquest

Lesser Black-backed Gull: Anna Maria

Credit: Claire Herzog

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.

Lesser Black-backed Gull

1 rule

Rule 1 11 criteria confidence 1

What colour were the LEGS or FEET ?: Yellow · Olive (yellowish-green) · Unknown
What SHAPE was the TAIL ?: Square or slightly notched at the end · Rounded at the end · Unknown
What colour was the BACK ?: 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
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Gull-like, or a Seabird
WHERE was the bird seen ?: Northeastern Canada or United States · Southeastern United States

result:531-lesser-black-backed-gull:1:1 Source: 531 Lesser Black-backed Gull, row 1