Seabirds
Identify the most common species of our seafaring friends!
Black-headed Gulls
Description: A medium-sized gull with a white body, dark gray wings, and a distinct chocolate-brown hood (only present in breeding adults).
Habitat: Commonly found near inland water bodies, lakes, rivers, and coastal areas throughout the United Kingdom.
Size: Approximately 38-44 cm in length, with a wingspan of about 94-105 cm.
Population: Widespread and abundant, black-headed gulls are a familiar sight across the UK.
Diet: Omnivorous, black-headed gulls feed on a varied diet, including insects, small fish, aquatic invertebrates, and scavenged food.
Herring Gull
Description: A large gull with a white body, pale gray wings, and distinctive yellow legs and bill. Adults have a characteristic gray mantle.
Habitat: Commonly found along coastlines, estuaries, and inland water bodies throughout the United Kingdom.
Size: Approximately 55-66 cm in length, with a wingspan of about 125-155 cm.
Population: Widespread and abundant, herring gulls are a familiar sight in coastal areas and urban environments.
Diet: Opportunistic and omnivorous, herring gulls feed on fish, shellfish, small mammals, scavenged food, and human leftovers.
Great Black-Backed Gull
Description: An imposing coastal seabird with striking black wings and back, contrasting with white plumage.
Species Name: Larus marinus
Habitat: Found along coastlines, rocky shores, cliffs, and offshore islands, occasionally venturing inland.
Size: Among the largest gulls, with a wingspan up to 1.7 meters (5.6 feet) and a length of about 68-79 centimeters (27-31 inches).
Population: They are relatively common and have stable populations, with thousands of breeding pairs in the UK.
Gannet
Description: Majestic seabird with a brilliant white body, long wings, and striking yellow head, often seen diving into the sea for fish.
Species Name: Morus bassanus
Habitat: Primarily found on offshore islands and cliffs in the North Atlantic Ocean, with notable colonies in the UK, particularly in Scotland.
Size: Impressive in size with a wingspan of up to 2 meters (6.6 feet) and a length of about 81-110 centimeters (32-43 inches).
Population: Northern Gannets are a conservation success story, with substantial and stable populations in the UK, particularly in places like Bass Rock, where over 150,000 pairs nest.
Lesser black-backed Gull
Description: The Lesser Black-Backed Gull is a majestic coastal bird with a distinctive appearance, featuring dark gray to black wings, a white body, and a striking yellow bill.
Species Name: Larus fuscus
Habitat: These adaptable gulls are primarily found along coastlines, on offshore islands, and in urban areas. Notably, they can thrive in diverse habitats, making them highly adaptable.
Size: Impressively sized, with a wingspan reaching up to 1.3 meters (4.3 feet).
Diet: Lesser Black-Backed Gulls are opportunistic feeders with a diverse diet that includes fish, invertebrates, scavenged food, and occasional small mammals and birds.
Population: Lesser Black-Backed Gulls have established substantial and stable populations, with notable colonies in the UK.
Puffin
Description: The Atlantic Puffin is a charming seabird known for colorful bill, striking orange feet, and black and white plumage.
Species Name: Fratercula arctica
Habitat: Coastal cliffs and offshore islands in the North Atlantic Ocean.
Size: Despite their small size, they have a distinctive presence with a height of about 28-34 centimeters.
Diet: Puffins are skilled divers and primarily feed on fish, particularly species like sand eels and herring. Their beaks are adapted for carrying multiple fish at once.
Population: Atlantic Puffins are highly gregarious and form large colonies during the breeding season. While some colonies have faced conservation concerns due to habitat degradation and overfishing of their prey, they remain a well-known and cherished species in the North Atlantic.
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