Gulls (Laridae) - HBW 3
Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus)
French: Goéland brun
German: Heringsmöwe
Spanish: Gaviota Sombría
Taxonomy: Larus fuscus Linnaeus, 1758, Sweden.
Closely related to L. argentatus, and sometimes considered conspecific, but in most areas of sympatry the two are reproductively isolated; molecular evidence separates present species from L. argentatus and L. cachinnans. Very complex systematics involving several of the races. Some evidence that heuglini overlaps nominate fuscus, perhaps without interbreeding; may merit specific status as L. heuglini, which may even include L. a vegae. Form described as “antelius” (W Siberia) is a synonym of heuglini; “taimyrensis”.. View all taxonomy...
Taxonomy: Larus fuscus Linnaeus,1758. Sweden.
Closely related to L. argentatus, and sometimes considered conspecific, but in most areas of sympatry the two are reproductively isolated; molecular evidence separates present species from L. argentatus and L. cachinnans. Very complex systematics involving several of the races. Some evidence that heuglini overlaps nominate fuscus, perhaps without interbreeding; may merit specific status as L. heuglini, which may even include L. a vegae. Form described as “antelius” (W Siberia) is a synonym of heuglini; “taimyrensis” (Yenisey and Taymyr Peninsula) considered not separable from heuglini. See also L. argentatus. Four subspecies recognized.
Closely related to L. argentatus, and sometimes considered conspecific, but in most areas of sympatry the two are reproductively isolated; molecular evidence separates present species from L. argentatus and L. cachinnans. Very complex systematics involving several of the races. Some evidence that heuglini overlaps nominate fuscus, perhaps without interbreeding; may merit specific status as L. heuglini, which may even include L. a vegae. Form described as “antelius” (W Siberia) is a synonym of heuglini; “taimyrensis” (Yenisey and Taymyr Peninsula) considered not separable from heuglini. See also L. argentatus. Four subspecies recognized.
Subspecies and Distribution:
- graellsii A. E. Brehm, 1857 - Iceland, Faeroes, British Is, France and Iberia; winters from SW Europe to W Africa.
- fuscus Linnaeus, 1758 - Sweden and N Norway E to White Sea; winters mostly in Africa and SW Asia.
- intermedius Schiøler, 1922 - Netherlands, Denmark and S Norway, with isolated population in NE Spain (Ebro Delta); winters mostly in W Europe and W Africa.
- heuglini Bree, 1876 - N Siberia, from S Kola Peninsula E to Taymyr Peninsula; winters from Middle East S to E Africa, and E to NW India.
- Least Concern
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A first winter bird feeding on bread thrown by the photographer, showing agression against a congener and calling. Hoek van Holland, South Holland, Netherlands (ssp graellsii)
Pieter de Groot Bo... 2 September 2006 42 weeks ago 29 sec 4.3 -
Adult standing on ship's rail, calling Stockholm, Stockholm County, Sweden (ssp fuscus)
Joe Angseesing 17 July 2008 25 weeks ago 33 sec 4.2 -
An adult bathing Lier, Antwerp Province, Belgium
Leo Janssen 4 March 2000 6 years ago 26 sec 4.2 -
Adult balancing on ship's rail, some ruffling of feathers & flexing wings, closeup of head Stockholm, Stockholm County, Sweden (ssp fuscus)
Joe Angseesing 17 July 2008 25 weeks ago 44 sec 4 -
Close-up of an adult in breeding plumage Pyasina Delta, Taymyr Peninsula, Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia (Eastern) (ssp heuglini)
Laurent Demongin 1 July 2008 51 weeks ago 28 sec 4 -
An adult in breeding plumage with strange malformation under the bill Pyasina Delta, Taymyr Peninsula, Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia (Eastern) (ssp heuglini)
Laurent Demongin 17 July 2008 51 weeks ago 10 sec 4
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birds following a ferry Texel, North Holland, Netherlands (ssp intermedius)
Stefan Helming 19 July 2008 46 weeks ago 4.5 -
1 cy Larus fuscus resting. Ystad, Skane County, Sweden
Jonn Leffmann 14 December 2009 12 weeks ago 4.2 -
1st winter bird drinking Portimão, Algarve Region, Portugal
Georges Olioso 17 January 2008 45 weeks ago 4 -
An adult bird on the grass around the main pond of the Parque Isabel la Católica, within the town of Gijón Parque Isabel la Católica, Gijón, Asturias, Spain (ssp graellsii)
Luis Mario Arce 24 March 2007 25 weeks ago 3.5 -
An adult in breeding plumage perched on a pole Pyasina Delta, Taymyr Peninsula, Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia (Eastern) (ssp heuglini)
Laurent Demongin 18 June 2008 1 year ago 3.5 -
A banded bird. Daytona Beach Shores, Volusia County, Florida, USA
killiajk 31 January 2009 1 year ago 3.5
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Adults alarming in the colony Pyasina Delta, Taymyr Peninsula, Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia (Eastern)
(ssp heuglini)
Laurent Demongin 20 July 2008 9 weeks ago 4.5 -
Territorial call of a subadult London, England, UK
(ssp graellsii)
Stuart Fisher 11 December 2008 49 weeks ago 4
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