Great Black-backed Gull

The Great Black-backed Gull, Larus marinus is a very large gull which breeds on the European and North American coasts and islands of the North Atlantic, also on the Great Lakes. It is fairly sedentary, but some birds move further south or inland to large lakes or reservoirs.

This species breeds singly or in small colonies, making a lined nest on the ground often on top of a rocky stack. 3-5 eggs are laid..

This is the largest gull, much bigger than a Herring Gull. It is 48-52 cm long with a 1.2 to 1.3 m wingspan. It is bulky, and has a powerful bill. The adults have black wings and back, with conspicuous white "mirrors" at the wing tips. The legs are pinkish, and the bill yellow with a red spot.

Young birds have scaly black-brown upperparts, and a neat wing pattern. They take four years to reach maturity. The call is a deep "laughing" cry.

These are omnivores like most Larus gulls, and they will scavenge as well as seeking suitable small prey. They frequently rob other seabirds of their catch. This bird may fly up and drop mollusks on rocks to open their shells.

The range and numbers of this bird in North America have expanded in recent times.