You’ve probably spotted gulls circling overhead at the beach or gathering in parking lots, but did you know there are dozens of distinct species, each with unique features and behaviors? While many people lump these intelligent seabirds together as “seagulls,” learning to identify different types of gulls opens up a fascinating world of avian diversity.
From the massive great black-backed gull to the petite Bonaparte’s gull, these birds vary dramatically in size, coloring, habitat preferences, and feeding strategies.
Whether you’re watching gulls along rocky coastlines, inland lakes, or even urban areas, you’ll discover that each species has adapted to thrive in specific environments.
Understanding gull identification can transform your coastal visits and birdwatching experiences. You’ll learn to spot the distinctive features that separate a herring gull from a ring-billed gull, recognize the elegant flight patterns of kittiwakes, and appreciate the remarkable diversity within this often-overlooked bird family.
This guide covers 17 gull species you’re likely to encounter across various habitats, helping you build the skills to identify these adaptable birds wherever your travels take you.
1. Herring Gull
The herring gull (Larus argentatus) represents what most people picture when they think of a typical gull. You’ll recognize adults by their large size, pale gray backs and wings, and distinctive pink legs. These substantial birds measure 22-26 inches in length with wingspans reaching 58 inches, making them one of the larger gull species you’ll encounter.
During summer breeding season, herring gulls sport clean white heads, but come winter, you’ll notice dark streaking develops across their heads and necks. Their yellow bills feature a prominent red spot on the lower mandible—a target that chicks instinctively peck to trigger feeding. The black wing tips show white spots called “mirrors,” which help distinguish them from similar species.
Key Insight: Herring gulls take four years to reach full adult plumage, passing through various brown-mottled juvenile stages that can make identification challenging for beginners.
You’ll find herring gulls along both Atlantic and Pacific coasts, around the Great Lakes, and increasingly in urban areas where they’ve adapted to nesting on flat rooftops. These opportunistic feeders consume fish, marine invertebrates, eggs, and human food waste. They’re known for their intelligence, including using bread as bait to catch fish and dropping hard-shelled prey from heights to crack them open. Their loud, wailing calls are synonymous with coastal environments, though their success in urban areas has led to conflicts in some communities.
2. Ring-Billed Gull
The ring-billed gull (Larus delawarensis) earns its name from the distinctive black band circling its yellow bill. This medium-sized gull measures 17-21 inches long and represents one of the most common gulls across North America, particularly inland.
Adults display pale gray backs, black wing tips with white spots, and bright yellow legs. In winter plumage, their heads develop gray-brown streaking, typical of many white-headed gull species during non-breeding season. The black bill ring remains visible year-round, making this species one of the easier gulls to identify once you know what to look for.
Ring-billed gulls thrive in both coastal and inland habitats, showing remarkable adaptability. You’ll spot them in parking lots, agricultural fields, beaches, and around lakes and rivers. They breed across central and northern North America, then migrate south for winter, often appearing in large flocks at shopping centers and fast-food restaurants. These gulls feed on insects, fish, earthworms, and readily scavenge human food, making them highly successful in human-modified landscapes. Their willingness to exploit urban food sources has earned them the somewhat affectionate nickname of “parking lot gull.”
Pro Tip: When scanning mixed gull flocks, look for ring-billed gulls’ distinctive bill pattern first—it’s often visible from considerable distances and immediately separates them from similar herring gulls.
3. Great Black-Backed Gull
The great black-backed gull (Larus marinus) holds the title as the world’s largest gull species, with adults reaching 28-31 inches in length and boasting wingspans up to 65 inches. You’ll immediately recognize this imposing bird by its massive size and striking appearance.
Adults feature dark slate-gray to nearly black upperparts that contrast sharply with their white heads and underparts. Their powerful yellow bills sport the characteristic red spot, and their legs appear pale pink. The bird’s large, blocky head and heavy build give it an aggressive appearance that matches its dominant behavior—great black-backed gulls regularly chase smaller gulls and steal their food.
| Feature | Great Black-Backed | Lesser Black-Backed | Herring Gull |
|---|---|---|---|
| Back Color | Nearly black | Dark slate-gray | Pale gray |
| Size | Largest (28-31″) | Medium-large (21-26″) | Large (22-26″) |
| Leg Color | Pale pink | Bright yellow | Pink |
| Habitat Preference | Coastal, rarely inland | Coastal, some inland | Coastal and inland |
You’ll find great black-backed gulls primarily along North Atlantic coastlines, from the Canadian Maritimes south to the Carolinas in winter. They prefer marine environments and rarely venture far inland, unlike their smaller relatives. These powerful predators feed on fish, but they’re also known for aggressive hunting behavior, taking eggs, chicks, and even adult birds from other seabird colonies. Their presence often signals productive fishing grounds, as they gather where food is abundant.
4. Lesser Black-Backed Gull
The lesser black-backed gull (Larus fuscus) resembles its massive cousin but with key differences that help you tell them apart. This medium-to-large gull measures 21-26 inches long with a dark slate-gray back that’s notably lighter than the great black-backed gull.
The most distinctive field mark? Bright yellow legs that stand out in all seasons. Adults also have yellow bills with red spots and slate-gray upperparts with black wing tips. During winter, their heads develop fine gray streaking, though less pronounced than in herring gulls. Juvenile birds appear heavily mottled brown and take about four years to develop full adult plumage.
Lesser black-backed gulls breed across northern Europe and have expanded their range in recent decades, now appearing regularly along the North American Atlantic coast during winter. You’ll spot them in coastal areas, harbors, and occasionally inland at lakes and reservoirs. They often mix with herring gull flocks, where their darker backs and yellow legs help you pick them out. These gulls are omnivorous scavengers, feeding on fish, marine invertebrates, and readily exploiting human food sources at garbage dumps and fishing ports.
Common Mistake: Don’t confuse first-year lesser black-backed gulls with herring gull juveniles—both appear brown and mottled, but watching for the developing yellow legs on lesser black-backed birds helps separate them.
5. Glaucous Gull
The glaucous gull (Larus hyperboreus) ranks among the “white-winged” gulls, notable for lacking any black coloring in its plumage. This large Arctic-breeding gull measures 24-28 inches long and appears strikingly pale compared to most gull species.
Adults in breeding plumage show pure white heads, pale gray backs, and wing tips that match the mantle color rather than turning black. Their heavy yellow bills feature red spots, and their legs appear pink. In winter, their heads develop limited brown streaking. The bird’s stocky build, large head, and small eyes give it a somewhat fierce expression that matches its aggressive temperament.
Glaucous gulls breed in the high Arctic and migrate south to winter along northern coasts of North America and Europe. You’ll rarely see them far from water, typically spotting them along rocky coastlines, harbors, and fishing ports. These powerful birds prey on fish, marine invertebrates, eggs, and chicks, and they’re not above pirating food from other seabirds. Their pale coloration provides excellent camouflage against ice and snow in their Arctic breeding grounds. During winter months, immature birds—which can take four years to develop adult plumage—often appear entirely white, earning them attention from birdwatchers scanning for rare visitors.
6. Iceland Gull
The Iceland gull (Larus glaucoides) shares the “white-winged” characteristic with the glaucous gull but presents a gentler appearance. This medium-to-large gull measures 20-24 inches long, noticeably smaller than its glaucous cousin.
Adults display pale gray backs with white wing tips, pink legs, and yellow bills with red spots. What really sets Iceland gulls apart? Their proportions—you’ll notice a small, rounded head, thin bill, and notably large, dark eyes that give them a softer, almost dove-like expression. This gentle appearance contrasts markedly with the aggressive look of glaucous gulls.
Comparison: White-Winged Gulls
- Iceland Gull: Smaller, thin bill, large eyes, gentle appearance, more buoyant flight
- Glaucous Gull: Larger, heavy bill, small eyes, aggressive look, powerful flight
Despite its name, Iceland gulls primarily breed in Arctic Canada and Greenland, not Iceland. They winter along the Atlantic coast of North America and in Iceland and northern Europe. You’ll spot them in harbors, along coastlines, and occasionally inland at large lakes. These gulls feed on fish and marine invertebrates, and like many gulls, they exhibit kleptoparasitic behavior—stealing food from other birds. Their musical calls sound softer than those of larger gulls, matching their gentler appearance.
7. Laughing Gull
The laughing gull (Leucophaeus atricilla) earns its common name from its distinctive call—a loud, raucous laugh-like sound that echoes across coastal marshes and beaches. This medium-sized gull measures 15-18 inches long with a slender build.
During breeding season, adults are unmistakable with completely dark brown heads (appearing black from a distance), dark gray upperparts, white underparts, and distinctive white crescents around the eyes. Their bills and legs turn deep red, creating a striking appearance. In winter, the dark hood disappears, replaced by gray smudging on the head. A unique identifying feature visible in flight: a prominent white trailing edge along the wings.
You’ll find laughing gulls primarily along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, from Nova Scotia to Venezuela, though they’re increasingly appearing in inland areas during migration. They nest in coastal salt marshes and on barrier islands, often in large, noisy colonies. These agile fliers catch insects in mid-air, pluck fish from the water’s surface, and scavenge along beaches. They’ve become adept at stealing food from beachgoers, swooping in to snatch unguarded snacks with remarkable precision. Laughing gulls migrate south for winter, with many spending the season in Central and South America.
8. Bonaparte’s Gull
Bonaparte’s gull (Chroicocephalus philadelphia) stands out as one of the smallest and most graceful North American gulls, measuring just 11-15 inches long. This petite gull exhibits tern-like flight patterns and delicate proportions.
Breeding adults sport jet-black heads, pale gray backs and wings, white underparts, and distinctive white wedges on the outer wings visible in flight. Their bills remain black year-round, and their legs appear bright orange-red. In winter plumage, the black hood disappears, leaving only a dark spot behind each eye. The wing pattern—with white leading edges to the primaries—creates a distinctive appearance unlike larger gulls.
| Characteristic | Bonaparte’s | Laughing | Black-Headed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | Small (11-15″) | Medium (15-18″) | Small (14-15″) |
| Breeding Hood | Jet black | Dark brown | Chocolate brown |
| Bill Color | Black | Red | Dark red |
| Leg Color | Orange-red | Dark red | Orange-red |
| Winter Head | Dark ear spot | Gray smudging | Dark ear mark |
Named after French ornithologist Charles Lucien Bonaparte, these gulls breed in boreal forests across Canada and Alaska—unusual for gulls, which typically nest in open areas. During migration and winter, you’ll spot them along coastlines, estuaries, and large inland lakes, often in large flocks. Bonaparte’s gulls feed primarily on small fish and aquatic insects, catching prey with graceful dipping movements at the water’s surface. They frequently associate with terns, sharing similar feeding behaviors and habitats during winter months.
9. Franklin’s Gull
Franklin’s gull (Leucophaeus pipixcan) closely resembles the laughing gull but with subtle differences that help you distinguish them. This medium-small gull measures 13-15 inches long and claims the title of the most migratory gull species in the world.
Breeding adults display dark gray upperparts, a black hood, prominent white crescents around the eyes, dark red bills, and dark red legs. The key difference from laughing gulls? Franklin’s gulls show white bands separating the gray wing coverts from the black wing tips—a field mark visible both at rest and in flight. In winter, the black hood becomes a partial dark cap with a dark smudge behind the eye.
You’ll rarely find Franklin’s gulls along coasts despite their classification as a “gull.” Instead, they breed in prairie marshes and shallow lakes across the northern Great Plains and Canada. Come fall, these incredible migrants travel to the Pacific coast of South America, making a round-trip journey of up to 12,000 miles annually. During migration, they appear in agricultural areas across the central United States, often following farm equipment to catch disturbed insects. Franklin’s gulls feed heavily on insects during the breeding season, also consuming fish, earthworms, and other invertebrates. Their habit of following plows earned them the nickname “prairie dove” among farmers who appreciated their pest control services.
Pro Tip: If you’re in the Great Plains during summer and spot a hooded gull in a farm field or marsh, it’s almost certainly a Franklin’s gull—laughing gulls stick to coastal areas.
10. Black-Headed Gull
The black-headed gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) represents one of the most common small gulls across Europe and increasingly appears in North America. This bird measures 14-15 inches long with a slender build and buoyant flight.
Despite its name, breeding adults actually sport chocolate-brown heads rather than true black, along with pale gray upperparts, white underparts, and distinctive dark red bills and legs. The underwings show dark gray coloring—a useful identification feature in flight. In winter, the brown hood vanishes, leaving only a dark spot behind the eye and a small dark smudge on the crown.
Black-headed gulls breed across much of Europe and Asia, with small numbers now nesting in eastern North America, particularly around the Great Lakes and Atlantic coast. You’ll encounter them in diverse habitats: coastal areas, inland lakes, rivers, agricultural fields, and increasingly in urban parks and parking lots. These adaptable birds feed on insects, earthworms, fish, and readily scavenge human food. They’re highly social, nesting in large colonies and often forming mixed flocks with ring-billed gulls and Bonaparte’s gulls during winter. Their aggressive behavior at feeding sites allows them to dominate despite their relatively small size.
11. Mediterranean Gull
The Mediterranean gull (Ichthyaetus melanocephalus) has expanded its range dramatically since the 1950s, transforming from a rare visitor to a regular breeding species in parts of northwest Europe. This medium-small gull measures 15-17 inches long with distinctive features that set it apart.
Breeding adults display jet-black hoods, pale gray upperparts, completely white wing tips (lacking any black), bright red bills, and red legs. The pure white primaries visible in flight immediately identify this species—most gulls show black wing tips. In winter, the black hood disappears, leaving dark smudging around and behind the eyes that extends farther than similar species.
You’ll find Mediterranean gulls primarily along European coasts, though they’ve begun appearing in small numbers along North American Atlantic shores. They favor coastal wetlands, estuaries, and beaches, often nesting within black-headed gull colonies. These gulls feed on fish, marine invertebrates, and insects. Their heavier bills compared to black-headed gulls reflect their preference for larger prey items. The species’ dramatic range expansion may relate to climate change and habitat creation through coastal development, though scientists continue studying the factors behind their success.
Important Note: Mediterranean gulls and black-headed gulls frequently nest in mixed colonies, so comparing birds side-by-side helps you learn the subtle but consistent differences in structure and plumage.
12. Sabine’s Gull
Sabine’s gull (Xema sabini) stands out as one of the most elegant and distinctive small gulls, measuring 11-14 inches long with a uniquely forked tail—rare among gulls. This Arctic-breeding species shows striking plumage patterns unlike any other gull.
Breeding adults feature slate-gray hoods with black borders, pale gray backs, and a bold wing pattern of gray, white, and black triangles visible in flight. Their bills appear black with bright yellow tips, and their legs show dark gray coloring. In winter, the hood disappears, leaving a dusky smudge on the back of the head. The wing pattern remains distinctive year-round, making identification relatively straightforward even at a distance.
Named after Irish scientist Edward Sabine, these gulls breed on Arctic tundra across northern Canada, Alaska, Greenland, and Russia. Unlike most gulls, Sabine’s gulls are truly pelagic during non-breeding seasons—they spend months far out at sea, particularly in the Humboldt and Benguela current systems off South America and southwest Africa. You’ll rarely see them near shore except during migration or after storms push them inland. They feed on small fish, marine invertebrates, and insects during breeding season, catching prey with graceful dipping and surface-snatching techniques. Birdwatchers prize sightings of Sabine’s gulls during autumn migration when small numbers pass coastal areas, and storm-driven individuals occasionally appear inland at large lakes.
13. California Gull
The California gull (Larus californicus) holds special significance in Utah, where a monument commemorates the species for saving Mormon settlers’ crops from cricket plagues in 1848. This medium-sized gull measures 18-21 inches long and shows features intermediate between ring-billed and herring gulls.
Adults display medium-gray backs, black wing tips with white spots, yellow-green legs, and yellow bills featuring both a red spot and a black ring near the tip—a unique combination. Their dark eyes give them a different expression compared to the pale eyes of herring gulls. In winter, brown streaking appears on their heads and necks.
Despite its name, California gulls breed primarily inland across the Great Basin, prairies, and northern Great Plains, nesting on islands in lakes. You’ll encounter them year-round along the Pacific coast from British Columbia to Baja California and inland throughout much of western North America. These adaptable gulls frequent beaches, garbage dumps, agricultural fields, and urban areas. They feed on insects, fish, earthworms, rodents, and human refuse. Their habit of following farm equipment to catch grasshoppers and other insects makes them valuable for pest control in agricultural regions. California gulls migrate altitudinally and latitudinally, with many moving from inland breeding areas to coastal wintering grounds.
14. Western Gull
The western gull (Larus occidentalis) represents the characteristic large gull of the Pacific coast, measuring 22-26 inches long with a stocky, powerful build. You’ll rarely see this species far from saltwater—it stays within a few miles of the ocean throughout its life.
Adults feature dark slate-gray backs and wings, white heads and underparts, pink legs, and yellow bills with prominent red spots. The relatively dark upperparts help distinguish western gulls from similar species, and their large, blocky heads and heavy bills give them a robust appearance. Unlike many gulls, western gulls show little seasonal change—breeding and non-breeding plumages remain similar, with adults maintaining clean white heads year-round.
Western gulls breed along the Pacific coast from Washington to Baja California, nesting on offshore islands and coastal cliffs. They hybridize frequently with glaucous-winged gulls in Washington and British Columbia, creating intermediate birds called “Olympic gulls” that show characteristics of both parent species. You’ll spot western gulls at beaches, harbors, and fishing ports, where they scavenge aggressively for fish, marine invertebrates, and discarded seafood. These dominant birds often displace smaller gulls from prime feeding sites. They’re highly territorial during breeding season, vigorously defending nest sites and sometimes even dive-bombing humans who venture too close to colonies.
Key Insight: Western gulls form long-term pair bonds and often return to the same nest sites year after year, with some pairs maintaining territories for decades.
15. Heermann’s Gull
Heermann’s gull (Larus heermanni) ranks among the most distinctive and beautiful North American gulls, with plumage unlike any other species. This medium-sized gull measures 18-21 inches long and shows highly unusual coloring for a gull.
Adults in breeding plumage display dark gray bodies, white heads, black tails with white tips, red bills with black tips, and black legs. In winter, the heads become heavily streaked with gray, but the overall dark body coloring remains unique among gulls. Juveniles appear entirely brown, gradually developing adult plumage over three years.
Unlike most gulls that breed across broad ranges, nearly all Heermann’s gulls nest on Isla Rasa, a small island in the Gulf of California, Mexico—one of the most concentrated breeding populations of any bird species. After breeding, they migrate north along the Pacific coast, appearing from British Columbia to Guatemala but most commonly from Oregon to Baja California. You’ll spot them along beaches, rocky shores, and harbors from April through November. Heermann’s gulls feed primarily on fish and frequently practice kleptoparasitism—stealing food from brown pelicans by landing on the pelicans’ heads and reaching into their bill pouches. This specialized feeding strategy makes them common wherever pelicans fish. Climate change and disturbance at their concentrated breeding site pose conservation concerns for this species.
16. Mew Gull
The mew gull (Larus canus), called the common gull in Europe, represents a medium-small gull measuring 16-18 inches long with delicate proportions. The name “mew” comes from its mewing call, softer than the harsh cries of larger gulls.
Adults show pale gray upperparts, white heads and underparts, yellow-green legs, yellow bills without prominent markings, and dark eyes that give them a gentle expression. The wing tips show black coloring with extensive white spotting, creating distinctive patterns in flight. In winter, heads develop gray-brown streaking, particularly on the nape. Despite its European name “common gull,” this species is far from common in most areas—the name may reference its habit of feeding on grassy commons rather than its abundance.
You’ll find North American mew gulls breeding in Alaska and western Canada, typically inland around lakes and rivers, though some nest along the coast. In winter, they move to Pacific coastal areas from Alaska to California and occasionally appear inland across western states. Mew gulls feed on fish, insects, marine invertebrates, and earthworms, often catching prey with graceful dipping flights over water. They’re less aggressive than larger gulls, frequently getting displaced at feeding sites. The species shows geographical variation, with North American, European, and Asian populations differing slightly in size and plumage details, leading some experts to suggest they may represent separate species.
17. Kittiwake
The black-legged kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) represents a true seabird among gulls, spending most of its life far from land. This medium-small gull measures 15-16 inches long with adaptations for oceanic life that set it apart from other gulls.
Adults display pale gray backs, white heads and underparts, completely black legs, and solid black wing tips without white spots—a distinctive field mark. Their black eyes and small yellow bills give them a gentle appearance. Unlike most gulls, kittiwakes lack a hind toe, an adaptation to their cliff-nesting lifestyle. In winter, they develop a dusky gray collar on the nape and a dark smudge behind the eye. Juvenile birds show a distinctive black “W” pattern across their wings in flight.
Named for their high-pitched “kitti-wake” call, these gulls breed on steep coastal cliffs across northern Atlantic and Pacific coasts, building compact nests on tiny ledges where land predators can’t reach. After breeding, they spend months far out at sea, making them the most pelagic of all gulls—you’ll rarely see them near shore outside breeding season. Kittiwakes feed primarily on small fish, catching prey by surface-dipping and shallow plunge-diving. They can drink salt water thanks to specialized glands that excrete excess salt. Population declines in recent decades, particularly in the North Sea, have raised conservation concerns, likely related to changes in sand eel abundance caused by overfishing and climate change.
Understanding Gull Identification
Now that you’ve explored 17 distinct gull species, you’ve gained insight into the remarkable diversity within this bird family. Each species has evolved unique characteristics—from the massive great black-backed gull dominating coastal areas to the delicate Bonaparte’s gull with its tern-like grace.
Understanding these differences transforms what might seem like confusing flocks of “seagulls” into recognizable individuals, each with distinct behaviors, habitats, and ecological roles.
Whether you’re watching gulls at the beach, around inland lakes, or even in urban parking lots, you now have the knowledge to identify the most common species. Remember to focus on key features: size, leg color, bill patterns, wing tip coloration, and seasonal plumage changes.
With practice, you’ll find yourself automatically noting these details and recognizing different gull species wherever you encounter them.
The next time someone dismisses a group of gulls as “just seagulls,” you’ll know better—and perhaps you’ll share some of the fascinating diversity you’ve discovered in these intelligent, adaptable birds.
