European herring gull

The European herring gull (Larus argentatus) is a large gull, up to long. Common in coastal regions of Western Europe, it was historically more abundant. It breeds across Northern Europe, Western Europe, Central Europe, Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, and the Baltic states. Some European herring gulls, especially those resident in colder areas, migrate further south in winter, but many are permanent residents, such as in Ireland, Britain, Iceland, or on the North Sea shores. They have a varied diet, including fish, crustaceans, as well as some plants, and are also scavengers, consuming carrion and food left by or stolen from humans. Their scientific name is from Latin. Larus appears to have referred to a gull or other large seabird and argentatus means decorated with silver. The taxonomy of the herring gull/lesser black-backed gull is contentious, with different authorities recognising between two and eight species. This group has a ring distribution around the Northern Hemisphere. Most adjacent populations interbreed; however, adjacent terminal populations do not. The Association of European Rarities Committees recognises six species: European herring gull, L. argentatus American herring gull, L. smithsonianus Caspian gull, L. cachinnans Yellow-legged gull, L. michahellis Vega gull, L. vegae Armenian gull, L. armenicus L. a. argentatus – Pontoppidan, 1763, the nominate form, sometimes known as the Scandinavian herring gull, breeds in Scandinavia and northwestern Russia. Northern and eastern populations migrate southwest in winter. It is a large, bulky gull with extensive white in the wingtips. The outermost primary, p10 often has a large white spot (called a mirror) that extends to the wingtip. The bill is longer and forehead flatter than argenteus. L. a. argenteus – Brehm & Schilling, 1822, sometimes known as the Western European herring gull breeds in Western Europe in Iceland, the Faroes, Britain, Ireland, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. Many birds are resident while others make short-distance migratory journeys.