Gulls are members of a large, widespread family of seabirds. Often known as seagulls though no species is actually called a seagull, and many are found far from the sea , they sometimes get a bad reputation for stealing chips. But gulls are intelligent, adaptable and often beautiful birds. However, they're notoriously difficult to identify. Entire books have been dedicated to telling one gull from another, but even these barely scratch the surface. Their plumage changes as they age and there's a great deal of variation within species.
This page is just a taster, highlighting the key features to look for, mostly in adult gulls. The stereotypical gull. Adults are told from most gulls by their large size, pale grey upperparts and pink legs. In summer they have a white head, which develops dark streaking in winter. Similar size to a herring gull, but often slightly smaller.
Adults are recognised by their slate-grey upperparts contrasting with blacker wing-tips and bright yellow legs. The world's largest gull!
Distinguished by huge size, heavy bill and large square head that makes the eye seem small and beady. Adults have blackish upperparts and pale pinkish legs. Like a much smaller, cuter version of a herring gull. Adults have pale grey upperparts, yellow-green legs, a dark eye and a thin yellow bill. The legs and bill are duller in winter, when the head is streaked grey.
Smaller than most gulls in the UK. Adults have pale grey upperparts and dark reddish legs and bill. In summer the head is dark brown not actually black! In flight, look for a distinctive white leading edge to the wing, visible at some distance. In winter the head is mostly white, with dark smudges on the ears and above the eyes. The bill also develops a dark tip. Rarely found away from the coast.
