GALLERIES > BIRDS > CHARADRIIFORMES > LARIDAE > AMERICAN HERRING GULL [Larus smithsonianus] [plot on map]
Location: Marina del Rey, CAGPS: 34.0N, -118.5W, elev=9' MAP Date: November 11, 2011 ID : B13K9892 [4896 x 3264]
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Location: Huron, OHGPS: 41.4N, -82.6W, elev=575' MAP Date: May 14, 2017 ID : B13K5235 [4896 x 3264]
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Location: Björko, Stockholms län, SwedenGPS: 59.3N, 17.5E, elev=29' MAP Date: May 27, 2023 ID : B13K4506 [4896 x 3264]
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Location: Sandy Hook, NJGPS: 40.4N, -74.0W, elev=10' MAP Date: May 4, 2014 ID : B13K6210 [4896 x 3264]
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Location: Playa del Rey, CAGPS: 33.9N, -118.4W, elev=50' MAP Date: January 27, 2013 ID : B13K1978 [4896 x 3264]
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Location: Orange County (pelagic waters), CAGPS: 33.5N, -118.1W, depth=-762' MAP Date: February 28, 2016 ID : B13K0906 [4896 x 3264]
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Location: Orange County (pelagic waters), CAGPS: 33.5N, -118.1W, depth=-762' MAP Date: February 28, 2016 ID : B13K0927 [4896 x 3264]
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Location: San Gabriel Spreading Grounds, Pico Rivera, CAGPS: 34.0N, -118.1W, elev=162' MAP Date: February 5, 2016 ID : B13K0225 [4896 x 3264]
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Location: Davis, CaliforniaGPS: 38.6N, -121.7W, elev=25' MAP Date: December 9, 2012 ID : B13K1090 [4896 x 3264]
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Location: Dun Laoghaire, IrelandGPS: 53.3N, -6.1W, elev=10' MAP Date: January 6, 2012 ID : B13K2596 [4896 x 3264]
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Location: Hermosa Beach, CAGPS: 33.9N, -118.4W, elev=13' MAP Date: January 28, 2014 ID : B13K5698 [4896 x 3264]
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Location: Tokyo, JapanGPS: 35.7N, 139.8E, elev=5' MAP Date: January 15, 2011 ID : B13K6945 [4896 x 3264]
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Location: Tokyo, JapanGPS: 35.7N, 139.8E, elev=5' MAP Date: January 15, 2011 ID : B13K6951 [4896 x 3264]
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Location: New Berwick, Scotland, United KingdomGPS: 56.1N, -2.7W, elev=4' MAP Date: January 1, 2012 ID : B13K2279 [4896 x 3264]
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Location: Clonea Strand, IrelandGPS: 52.1N, -7.5W, elev=6' MAP Date: January 5, 2012 ID : B13K2565 [4896 x 3264]
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Location: New Berwick, Scotland, United KingdomGPS: 56.1N, -2.7W, elev=4' MAP Date: January 1, 2012 ID : B13K2275 [4896 x 3264]
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Location: New Berwick, Scotland, United KingdomGPS: 56.1N, -2.7W, elev=4' MAP Date: January 1, 2012 ID : B13K2317 [4896 x 3264]
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Location: New Berwick, Scotland, United KingdomGPS: 56.1N, -2.7W, elev=4' MAP Date: January 1, 2012 ID : B13K2326 [4896 x 3264]
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Location: Barrow, AKGPS: 71.2N, -156.3W, elev=24' MAP Date: June 8, 2012 ID : B13K0118 [4896 x 3264]
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Location: Portland (Westmoreland Park), ORGPS: 45.5N, -122.6W, elev=51' MAP Date: December 6, 2011 ID : B13K0616 [4896 x 3264]
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Location: Portland (Westmoreland Park), ORGPS: 45.5N, -122.6W, elev=51' MAP Date: December 6, 2011 ID : B13K0644 [4896 x 3264]
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Location: Salton Sea, CAGPS: 33.2N, -115.6W, elev=-232' MAP Date: November 23, 2010 ID : B13K4595 [4896 x 3264]
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Location: Salton Sea, CAGPS: 33.2N, -115.6W, elev=-232' MAP Date: November 23, 2010 ID : B13K4579 [4896 x 3264]
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Location: Playa del Rey (Del Rey Lagoon), CAGPS: 34.0N, -118.5W, elev=3' MAP Date: August 12, 2011 ID : B13K8356 [4896 x 3264]
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Location: Playa del Rey (Ballona Creek), CAGPS: 34.0N, -118.4W, elev=0' MAP Date: November 21, 2010 ID : B13K4489 [4896 x 3264]
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Location: Provincetown (Cape Cod), MAGPS: 42.1N, -70.2W, elev=27' MAP Date: September 22, 2010 ID : 7C2V3025 [3888 x 2592]
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Location: Provincetown (Cape Cod), MAGPS: 42.1N, -70.2W, elev=27' MAP Date: September 22, 2010 ID : 7C2V3057 [3888 x 2592]
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Location: Provincetown (Cape Cod), MAGPS: 42.1N, -70.2W, elev=27' MAP Date: September 22, 2010 ID : 7C2V3045 [3888 x 2592]
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Location: Provincetown (Cape Cod), MAGPS: 42.1N, -70.2W, elev=27' MAP Date: September 22, 2010 ID : 7C2V3061 [3888 x 2592]
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Location: Magee Marsh (Crane Creek), OHGPS: 41.6N, -83.2W, elev=573' MAP Date: May 31, 2009 ID : 7C2V8650 [3888 x 2592]
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Location: Crystal Rock, OHGPS: 41.4N, -82.8W, elev=573' MAP Date: December 20, 2009 ID : 7C2V5241 [3888 x 2592]
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Location: Conneaut, OHGPS: 42.0N, -80.6W, elev=578' MAP Date: May 9, 2008 ID : 0883 [3888 x 2592]
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Location: Jekyll Island, GAGPS: 31.1N, -81.4W, elev=7' MAP Date: February 10, 2008 ID : 3749 [3888 x 2592]
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Location: Rockport, TXGPS: 28.0N, -97.0W, elev=0' MAP Date: February 1, 2009 ID : 7C2V4372 [3888 x 2592]
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Location: Tybee Island, GAGPS: 32.0N, -80.8W, elev=9' MAP Date: February 9, 2008 ID : 3416 [3888 x 2592]
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Location: Conneaut, OHGPS: 42.0N, -80.6W, elev=578' MAP Date: May 9, 2008 ID : 0860 [3888 x 2592]
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Location: Conneaut, OHGPS: 42.0N, -80.6W, elev=578' MAP Date: May 9, 2008 ID : 0867 [3888 x 2592]
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Location: Conneaut, OHGPS: 42.0N, -80.6W, elev=578' MAP Date: May 9, 2008 ID : 0872 [3888 x 2592]
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Location: Conneaut, OHGPS: 42.0N, -80.6W, elev=578' MAP Date: May 9, 2008 ID : 0878 [3888 x 2592]
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Location: Conneaut, OHGPS: 42.0N, -80.6W, elev=578' MAP Date: May 9, 2008 ID : 0882 [3888 x 2592]
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Location: Conneaut, OHGPS: 42.0N, -80.6W, elev=578' MAP Date: May 9, 2008 ID : 0897 [3888 x 2592]
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Location: Conneaut, OHGPS: 42.0N, -80.6W, elev=578' MAP Date: May 9, 2008 ID : 0845 [3888 x 2592]
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Location: Conneaut, OHGPS: 42.0N, -80.6W, elev=578' MAP Date: May 9, 2008 ID : 0903 [3888 x 2592]
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SPECIES INFO
The Herring Gull, Larus argentatus, is a large gull which breeds across North America, Europe and Asia. Some herring gulls, especially those resident in colder areas, migrate further south in winter, but many are permanent residents, e.g. those on the lower Great Lakes, on the east coast of North America or at the North Sea shores. Herring Gulls are also abundant around inland garbage dumps, and some have even adapted to life in inland cities.
Herring Gull flocks have a loose pecking order, based on size, aggressiveness and physical strength. Communication between these birds is complex and highly-developed - employing both calls and body language. Two identical vocalizations can have very different (sometimes opposite) meanings, for example - depending on the positionings of the head, body, wings and tail relative to each other and the ground in the calling gull.
Unlike many flocking birds, Herring Gulls do not engage in social grooming and keep physical contact between individuals to a minimum. Outside of the male/female and parent/chick relationship, each Herring Gull attempts to maintain a respectful 'safe distance' from others of its kind. Any breach of this results in fighting, though severe injuries are seldom inflicted.
The taxonomy of the Herring Gull / Lesser Black-backed Gull complex is very complicated, different authorities recognising between two and eight species.
This group has a ring distribution around the northern hemisphere. Differences between adjacent forms in this ring are fairly small, but by the time the circuit is completed, the end members, Herring Gull and Lesser Black-backed Gull, are clearly different species.
Adult Herring Gulls are similar to Ring-billed Gulls but are much larger, have pinkish legs, and a much thicker yellow bill with more pronounced gonys. First-winter Herring Gulls are much browner, but second and third-winter birds can be confusing since soft part colors are variable and third-year Herring Gull often show a ring around the bill. Such birds are most easily distinguished by the larger size and larger bill of Herring Gull.
The Association of European Rarities Committees recognises six species:
Herring Gull, Larus argentatus
American Herring Gull, Larus smithsonianus
Caspian Gull, Larus cachinnans
Yellow-legged Gull, Larus michahellis
East Siberian Gull, Larus vegae
Armenian Gull, Larus armenicus
Adults are easily identified by their size, pale grey back and the red spot on the beak. Legs are pink at all ages. The bird depicted is the western European race Larus argentatus argenteus. The Scandinavian race L. a. argentatus is slightly larger and darker, with more white in the wing tips.
The North American American Herring Gull is similar to argentatus, except that immature birds tend to be darker and more uniformly brown.
These are omnivores like most Larus gulls, and will scavenge on rubbish tips and elsewhere, as well as seeking suitable small prey in fields or on the coast, or robbing plovers or lapwings of their catches.
Eggs, usually three, are laid on the ground or cliff ledges in colonies, and are defended vigorously by this large gull. The loud laughing call is well-known in the northern hemisphere.
Herring Gulls are known to be capable of seeing ultraviolet light.
Parasites of Herring gulls include the fluke Microphallus piriformes.
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