Wednesday, 15 February 2012
Herring Gull
Scientific Name:
Larus argentatus
Scientific Family:
Laridae
Length:
60–66 cm,24–26 in for male, 55–62 cm,22-24 in for female
Wingspan (mm):
137–150 cm,54–59 in
Lifespan:
20-40 years Description
With white plumage to the head, neck, breast and underside, the wings of a Herring gull are silver-grey, with black tips and white flecks. The legs are pink with webbed feet and the bill is bright yellow with an orange spot close to the tip.
Distribution
All of the UK across to Europe and North America
Habitat
Costal and inland as well as urban towns they will adapt any where there is sufficient breeding grounds. And a supply of food
Diet
As an omnivorous species, the herring gull will eat virtually anything and can often be found scavenging amongst rubbish tips in search of any edible scraps. fish, shrimp, prawns, eggs, insects, birds, carrion, marine invertebrates.
Behaviour
They communicate with sound Using various calls for different situations and visual displays for attracting the female. Aw well as defending a nest site or food source. They will use the same nest site.
Reproduction
Between 2and 4 eggs olive-green to Blue in color with dark blotches. Laid in a nest made from grasses and moss lined with feathers or man made materials’.
Incubate the eggs 28-30 days 35-40 days of age young herring gulls can fly and for the first year of their life their feathers are speckled brown.
Population
Around 400,000 pairs in the winter
Status
least concern
Did You Know?
They Drop large, hard food items on rock or sand to break them open.Herring gulls are the classic “seagull” often heard on radio and TV. Although they prefer fresh water when they can get it, herring gulls have adapted to drinking seawater. Special glands above their eyes desalinate the water, then excrete the excess salt in a viscous fluid that can sometimes be seen issuing from the bird’s nostrils and running down its bill.