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Herring Gull
Photos by Bruce
Dayton
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ORDER:
Charadriiformes
FAMILY:
Laridae
SUB-FAMILY:
Larinae (Gulls and Terns - 49 Species)
SPECIES:
Herring Gull
(Larus argentatus)
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Herring Gull |
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The Herring Gull is sometimes referred to "Silver Back". The population has declined significantly over the last 25 years for reasons unknown. |
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SIZE |
Large (22-26") gull with heavy body. |
| DESCRIPTION |
They have a pale gray back, white head, neck and underparts with a heavy bright yellow bill marked with red spot. They have black wingtips with white spots and flesh-colored legs and feet. Sexes are similar in appearance, but male is larger. |
| NESTING | Clutch
size ranges from 2-4 eggs, which are incubated in 24 to 30 days. |
| RANGE | In the US, it can be found along most of the coastlines and inland in areas near bodies of water, such as the Great Lakes. It also has extended their ranges significantly inland near landfills and agricultural areas. |
| HABITAT | Herring Gulls use a wide variety of habitats usually near a body of water. They are common image on garbage dumps, beaches, marshes, docks, commercial fishing areas |
| DIET | Herring gulls mainly feed on fish and invertebrates, but will eat just about anything they can, including garbage, birds, eggs and carrion. |
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| Herring Gull | |
| Taughannock
Falls State Park Tompkins County, New York |
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| HrGu_156T_038431 | |
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| American
Herring
Gull Drawing by Louis Agassiz Fuertes |
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| INTERESTING FACTS |
| Sea Gull |
| Sea Gull or Seagull is a generic name given to various members of the gull species. It is a common name used by laypeople to describe the local gull species or all gulls in general such as Ring-billed gull, and the Herring gull. |
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of North America
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Please email with any ideas or comments concerning this web page. |
| The images on this web page are copyrighted © 2003 - 2007 by Bruce Dayton. I want to share my photos to promote conservation and to help people identify and learn about the birds and other creatures that live with us on the North American continent. Please do not use any of my work in any non-profit or for-profit project without first getting written permission from me. You can ask for permission by emailing me at webmaster@wildlifeofnorthamerica.info. All reproductions must bear an appropriate credit. |
NOTE: This site will be updated as time and pictures become available.
Visit Mammals of North America
Herring Gull
( Larus argentatus )
Updated 10-20-2008
