BirdUp · Species
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Larus fuscusLinnaeus, 1758
- Conservation
- Least Concern
- Commonness
- Common
- Best seen
- Summer
01 · Identification
How to tell it apart
The lesser black-backed gull is a large gull that breeds on the Atlantic and Arctic coasts of Europe. It is migratory, wintering from the British Isles south to West Africa. However, it has increased dramatically in North America, especially along the east coast. Formerly just a winter visitor to North America, it now occurs in large numbers some winters and birds are recorded year-round. However, there is serious concern about decline in many parts of its range. The species is on the UK Amber List because the UK is home to 40 per cent of the European population and more than half of these are found at fewer than ten breeding sites.
Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
02 · Where
Where to find it
- Breeding range
- Greenland, Iceland, west Europe to north-central Siberia
- Non-breeding range
- To south-west Europe, west-central and east-central Africa, north-west India, east North America; rare vagrant to Australia
03 · When
When to look
Months this species is recorded across its Australian range.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
The BirdUp app
Log your next Lesser Black-backed Gull in the field
A pocket field journal for 850+ Australian birds. Offline-first, smart ID, and a lifelist that travels with you.