Common or Herring Gull?

[Guinnessman1974]

I saw a Gull today in Wolverhampton City centre, I am sure it was a Common Gull.

Definitely not a Black-headed Gull, however is there any possibility it was a Herring Gull (?) or are they only exclusively found at the coast?

[Picidae]

Both Common Gull and HG are found inland this time of year, but more likely Herring Gull in a city centre since they are opportunist scavengers. Common Gulls are more likely to be seen on fields/grassland. can you describe it at all?

Colour of bill would be helpful, colour of eye, was it an adult etc?

[Barjon]

I've only ever seen them at the coast but you never know. The Herring Gull will be much bigger, and in flocks, and usually making the classic noisy gull sounds. A close look will find a large red spot on its bill. If it was small (about the same size as black-headed gulls), quiet, on a field, not many of them it was probably a common gull. An easy way to tell is leg-colour. Herring gulls have pale pink legs, but common gulls legs are yellow.

[Guinnessman1974]

This Gull I saw was not in a flock, I only saw one on its own.

There were black tips on the underside of the wings, it was definitely not a Lesser Black-backed (too small). I was not close enough to see any colours on the bill (did not have bins with me).

Common Gull as it was on it's own?

[solus]

It could be either - if you say it was definitely too small for LBB then it may have been Common, as Herring and LBBs are similar in size. Did you see the bird on the ground or only in flight?

[Picidae]

Originally Posted by Guinnessman1974

This Gull I saw was not in a flock, I only saw one on its own.

There were black tips on the underside of the wings, it was definitely not a Lesser Black-backed (too small). I was not close enough to see any colours on the bill (did not have bins with me).

Common Gull as it was on it's own?

Size is deceptive with lone birds tbh. Herring Gulls show black tips on the underwing (especially visible this time of year when primaries are still fresh) - they also can be noticeably smaller than LBBG (in particular if they are females), they also are seen frequently on their own - sorry but nothing rules one out or the other in!

[aeshna5]

If you say it was definitely smaller than a Lesser Blackback + assuming you have accurately assessed the size of the gull (easy to misjudge size on a single bird) then it's more likely to be a Common Gull.

Certainly here in London Common Gulls are common in the city centre along the Thames + in the central parks during the winter months. Herring Gulls are resident here + some breed on roof tops.

I've never been to Wolverhampton so don't know the situation there, but as Picidae has mentioned Common Gulls are regularly found on playing fields + other open grassy areas.

[Jaeviatrix]

Doesnt the Common have big white "windows" in his wingtips? That is how i'd distinguish the commons from the more common BHGs and herrings over the Thames, when in flight. We had a big flock of commons in playing field near my home a few weeks ago, yellow legs and spotted heads and only slightly larger than the BHGs. I was surprised as I hadnt seen them in any number out here (South-East Essex) or had perhaps not noticed.
Hope all is good

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Jaeviatrix

Doesnt the Common have big white "windows" in his wingtips? That is how i'd distinguish the commons from the more common BHGs and herrings over the Thames, when in flight. We had a big flock of commons in playing field near my home a few weeks ago, yellow legs and spotted heads and only slightly larger than the BHGs. I was surprised as I hadnt seen them in any number out here (South-East Essex) or had perhaps not noticed.
Hope all is good

The 2 outer primaries on a Common Gull have a conspicuous white area often referred to as "mirrors"

[Jaeviatrix]

I had heard them called windows, but that is what I meant. Are they a diagnostic feature?