Larus fuscus - Lesser Black-backed Gull
Feather characters. Barbules are from short until medium length (1.0-1.1 mm). Pigmentation is generally absent, but in some body parts nodes and parts of internodes may contain pigment. Both vase-shaped and slightly thickened nodes are present. Nodes are equally distributed along the entire length of barbules (14-18 per mm). Proximal nodes are vase-shaped, they abruptly decrease in size into slightly thickened nodes distally. Villi are absent and internodes are occasionally kinked. Minute prongs are occasionally present along the entire length of barbules, on both sides of the pennulum.
Field characters. Size 54 cm. Weight: male 768 g (670-945), female 662 g (545-840) (Dunning, 1993). Much smaller than Great Black-backed Gull. Mainly distinguishable from latter by yellow legs (but colour often fades during winter) and size. Mantle and wing slate-grey to slate-black; other parts white. Bill long and yellow with red spot on gonys. In winter, plumage is largely similar, but with some dusky streaks on head and neck. Juvenile darker but hard to distinguish from juvenile Herring Gull. Upperparts are scaled and dark dusky-brown; underparts a little lighter, tips of folded wings and tail almost black. Bill blackish, legs brown. In flight easier to recognise due to black subterminal band on tail (in contrast with white rump) and 2 black wing-bars on inner wing; all primaries dark (juvenile Herring Gull has pale inner primaries).
Voice. Most calls are similar to those of Herring Gull, but deeper and louder. Generally silent, but noisy when in groups. Long-call is often heard, which consists of several short "ga"-sounds followed by a laughing "kyowwkyowwkyoww...".
Distribution. A fairly common breeding bird in the northern part of the region. On migration, it is fairly common everywhere in Europe. Map: see MapIt.
Habitat. Nests in colonies on cliff-tops, inland moors and grassy islands. On migration common both at sea and inland; has a very wide tolerance of habitat. More often found inland than Herring Gull.
Food. Very varied; eats all kind of vegetable and animal matter.