Glaucous Gull
The Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus) is an imposing, "white-winged" bird of the high Arctic, known for being one of the largest and most powerful gulls in the world.
Key Characteristics:
Habitat and Diet:
Conservation Status:
While globally listed as Least Concern, certain populations have seen declines due to contaminants like PCBs and mercury, as well as changes in food availability.
Key Characteristics:
- Large Size: It is the second-largest gull globally, often approaching the Great Black-backed Gull in bulk and weighing up to 2.7 kg.
- Pale Plumage: Unlike most large gulls, it lacks any black in its wings.
- Adults: Have a pale pearly-grey back and pure white wingtips.
- Juveniles: Often described as "biscuit-coloured" or "milky tea," they are uniformly pale with a distinct pink bill featuring a sharp black tip.
- "Fierce" Expression: Compared to the similar Iceland Gull, it has a more square head, a heavier bill, and a fiercer look.
Habitat and Diet:
- Arctic Specialist: It breeds on Arctic cliffs and coastlines across the Northern Hemisphere. In winter, it migrates south to the UK, northern US, and large inland lakes.
- Apex Predator/Scavenger: An opportunistic omnivore that eats everything from fish and carrion to the eggs and chicks of other seabirds. It is highly dominant at feeding sites, frequently stealing food from other birds.
Conservation Status:
While globally listed as Least Concern, certain populations have seen declines due to contaminants like PCBs and mercury, as well as changes in food availability.