Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on February 17th 2025. (© David Hastings)
(1/1000th sec at f11. Click image for larger version)
Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on September 13th 2023. (© David Hastings)
(1/1000th sec at f/8. Click image for larger version)
Juvenile. Taken at Fuerteventura on March 11th 2018. (© David Hastings)
(1/800th sec at f/9. Click image for larger version)

Description

L: 48 - 56 cm; WS: 117 - 134 cm

The Yellow-legged Gull is now recognised as a species in its own right, having previously been considered to be a race of Herring Gull. Adults have darker grey backs and wings than Herring Gulls, but are paler than Lesser Black-backed Gulls. They have more black in the wing tips than Herring Gulls and smaller white 'mirrors'. The legs are bright yellow, there is a red ring around the eye and the bill is yellow with a large red spot. For most of the year four age-groups can be identified.

This species is mainly found in coastal areas of the Mediterranean but has also expanded along the French Atlantic coast. It is mainly a summer visitor to the British Isles.

As with other gulls, the combination of inland reservoirs and rubbish dumps exactly suits their needs.

Yellow-legged Gulls have very similar behaviour to Herring Gulls.

This species has amber status on the British list.

Sightings