Gulls (Laridae)
Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) - HBW 3, p. 611
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
-
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 1 year ago 29 sec 4.3 -
A bird on top of the deck of the ferry. Texel, North Holland Province, Netherlands
Yoel Jimenez 30 April 2010 10 weeks ago 52 sec 4.3 -
A bird on deck of the ferry to Texel. Texel, North Holland Province, Netherlands
Yoel Jimenez 30 April 2010 10 weeks ago 45 sec 4.3 -
Adult standing on ship's rail, calling Stockholm, Stockholm County, Sweden (ssp fuscus)
Joe Angseesing 17 July 2008 49 weeks ago 33 sec 4.2 -
An adult bathing Lier, Antwerp Province, Belgium
Leo Janssen 4 March 2000 7 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 49 weeks ago 44 sec 4
-
birds following a ferry Texel, North Holland, Netherlands (ssp intermedius)
Stefan Helming 19 July 2008 1 year ago 4.4 -
In flight at Doha Port. Doha, Qatar
John A Thompson 11 January 2005 11 weeks ago 4.3 -
Scavengers learn ingenuity. This was the first of 3 drops on to granite pier to break crab-shell. Dublin Bay, Dublin, Dublin Region, Ireland
Brendan Marnell 12 April 2009 6 weeks ago 4.2 -
1 cy Larus fuscus resting. Ystad, Skane County, Sweden
Jonn Leffmann 14 December 2009 36 weeks ago 4.2 -
Scavengers have to be opportunists Dublin Bay, Dublin, Dublin Region, Ireland
Brendan Marnell 12 April 2009 6 weeks ago 4.1 -
4th-cy graellsii/intermedius in January Maine-et-Loire, Pays de la Loire, France (ssp graellsii/intermedius)
Alain Fossé 8 January 2009 11 hours ago ADDED TODAY! 4
-
Adults alarming in the colony Pyasina Delta, Taymyr Peninsula, Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia (Eastern)
(ssp heuglini)
Laurent Demongin 20 July 2008 33 weeks ago 4.5 -
Territorial call of a subadult London, England, UK
(ssp graellsii)
Stuart Fisher 11 December 2008 1 year ago 4
Email this page