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Great Black-backed Gull · Field Guide · Things With Wings

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Great Black-backed Gull

Larus marinus

Not yet photographed by the community

Largest UK gull; powerful bill, near-black back.

Species Profile

Green List (UK)

Lifespan: 25–30 years in the wild, occasionally longer
Size & Weight: 64–78 cm, wingspan 150–165 cm; 1.3–2.0 kg
Habitat: Coastal cliffs, rocky islands, and occasionally inland lakes; breeds on remote islands and headlands with minimal disturbance.
UK Distribution: Resident year-round around much of the UK coast, with populations concentrated in Scotland, northern England, Wales, and south-west England; numbers augmented in winter by continental immigrants.
Diet: Highly opportunistic omnivore and scavenger; feeds on fish, crustaceans, seabirds, eggs, small mammals, and discarded refuse at landfills and fisheries.
Prey: Fish (especially flatfish), auks, other gulls, rabbits, rats, bird eggs, and offal from fishing vessels
Predators: Eggs and chicks preyed upon by foxes, mink, and corvids; adults rarely predated due to large size, though occasionally taken by white-tailed eagles
Mating Season: March to August, with peak activity April to June
Breeding: Clutch of 2–3 eggs; incubation period 26–29 days; fledging at 7–8 weeks; single brood per year; forms loose colonies and defends territories aggressively

Sources and editorial status

The short identification summary comes from the Things With Wings species catalogue. The extended species profile is AI-assisted and has not been individually reviewed by a wildlife expert, so verify important identification or conservation details with the specialist sources below.

Profile generated 24 June 2026

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