Common Gull (Larus canus)

OTHER NAMES: Mew Gull
Latin Etymology: Larus ("gull") canus ("white or grey")

Adult Common Gull (subspecies L. c. canus) at Regent's Park, London - December 2009

Featured Subspecies: Larus canus canus

Weight: 290-480g

Length: 38-44cm

Wingspan: 110-125cm

UK AMBER LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Despite what the name might seem to suggest, the common gull is not one of the gull species you are most likely to see - while they are relatively numerous compared to many birds, they aren't necessarily as noticeable as Herring or Black Headed in usual situations. If you live south of Northumbria you are probably best looking for them on fields in winter, although from northumbria they are present year round - the bird photographed here was sitting on a beach in July.

Further Information:
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Laridae
Genus: Larus
Subspecies: L. c. canus, L. c. heinei, L. c. kamtschatschensis, L. c. brachyrhynchus

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - An uncommon breeding species (49,000 pairs) and common Winter visitor (710,000 birds)

 - Birds seen at sites including Rainham Marshes, Regent's Park, Ditchford Gravel Pits and Geddington.  


Further Notes: Arkive, BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, Wikipedia, RSPB, Xeno-canto