Taken at Skomer, Pembrokeshire, on May 6th 2014. (© David Hastings)
(1/1600th sec at f11. Click image for larger version)
Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on February 2nd 2014. (© David Hastings)
(1/640th sec at f14. Click image for larger version)
Juvenile. Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on September 13th 2018. (© David Hastings)
(1/640th sec at f11. Click image for larger version)
Second winter. Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on November 21st 2021. (© David Hastings)
(1/1000th sec at f8. Click image for larger version)

Description

L: 61 - 74 cm; WS : 144 - 166 cm

The largest gull, with a bulky body, thick neck and heavy bill. It has flesh-pink legs. For most of the year birds in four age-groups can be identified.

It is found in western and north-western Europe and Iceland.

It breeds on the coast, often on rocky islands, alone or in small colonies. In winter it can be found inland at rubbish dumps and reservoirs.

Great Black-backed Gulls are kleptoparasitic, often robbing other birds like sea ducks, cormorants and other gulls.

There are about 17000 breeding pairs in the UK, and around 77000 birds over-winter here.

Sightings