(Part of the) common name of most species of the family Laridae (order Charadriiformes). Gulls are the most familiar seabirds and cosmopolitan (including Antarctica) in distribution, although most forms are found in the Northern Hemisphere. They are coastal rather than oceanic, and many species frequent inland waters. A few species are small, but many are rather large birds (20-76 cm in length), stoutly built and with long and pointed wings. The tail is of moderate length, usually square, while the bill is stout and slightly hooked. The feet have three webbed front toes, the hind toe is small or sometimes largely degenerated. They have a characteristic, mainly white plumage with pale grey or darker colour on the back and wings (tips are black in most species), but some species have a much darker general appearance (e.g. the Sooty Gull). Many have a dark hood or mask in the breeding season. Immature birds are darker (often mottled brown) and full adult plumage is sometimes attained only after several years. The bill and legs (tarsi) are sometimes yellow or bright red, but this can change with season and age. Gulls fly with slow wing-beats and are experts in gliding and soaring. Some species catch fish, but most are largely scavengers which eat a variety of animal and vegetable food. They are highly gregarious, roosting in flocks on water or land and breeding in (often large) colonies.

Alternative form for gulls : gull.