|
 Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus L 69, W 155 Breeds quite commonly on coasts, also sporadically at larger inland waters, in isolated pairs or small colonies, often together with other gulls. Distinguished from rather similar Lesser Blackbacked Gull by larger size, more powerful bill, greyish-pink legs and slightly broader wings with more white on (he tips above. Adult Great Black-backs in W Europe also have blacker upperwing and back than Lesser Black-backs breeding in the area, while in the Baltic the comparison is the other way around. Immature is distinguished from immature Lesser Black-back by paler inner primaries than outer, heavier bill and narrower black tail band, from immature Herring Gull (with some difficulty by larger size, heavier bill and often paler head and tail. Birds of the year during the first two or three months, however, are in practice very like immature Herring Gulls in plumage; head and neck do not become lighter until their first winter or spring, and even then the difference can be subtle. One-year-old bird is like juvenile, but with whiter head and tail. Dark back (not wings) acquired in second winter. Flies with quite slow, powerful wingbeats. Feeds on fish, offal and eggs and young of birds, can also kill full-grown birds of some size. Calls are very deep and low-pitched, gruff 'klaow', 'ga ga ga' etc. RSW
 An
excellent pocket reference book for recognising birds
is the Hamlyn Guide to Birds of Britain and Europe,
which is a comprehensive reference guide to Britain
and mainland Europe's plethora of ornithological life.
Buy
in UK---------------------Buy
in US
|
