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 Enlarge map
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Sea gull at rest in the rock of Gibraltar Locality Gibraltar
MarcS 20 March 2012 1 year ago 46 sec 4.5 -
Adult standing on ship's rail, calling Locality Stockholm, Stockholm County, Sweden (ssp fuscus)
Joe Angseesing 17 July 2008 3 years ago 33 sec 4.5 -
A first winter bird feeding on bread thrown by the photographer, showing agression against a congener and calling. Locality Hook of Holland, South Holland Province, Netherlands (ssp graellsii)
Pieter de Groot Boersma 2 September 2006 4 years ago 29 sec 4.5 -
An adult in breeding plumage with a glaucous gull waiting fishes given by a fisherman Locality Pyasina Delta, Taymyr Peninsula, Krasnoyarsk Krai, Eastern Russia, Russia (ssp heuglini)
Laurent Demongin 10 July 2008 4 years ago 28 sec 4.5 -
A bird on deck of the ferry to Texel. Locality Texel, North Holland Province, Netherlands
Yoel Jimenez 30 April 2010 2 years ago 45 sec 4.4 -
At the pond on the island Langeoog. Locality Langeoog, East Frisian Islands, Lower Saxony, Germany
Christian Wiesmann 26 June 2012 43 weeks ago 1 min 42 sec 4.2 -
A bird on the sand. Locality Mont Saint-Michel, Basse-Normandie, Normandie, France
Jeremiusz Trzaska 5 April 2012 1 year ago 29 sec 4.2 -
An adult bathing Locality Lier, Antwerp Province, Belgium
Leo Janssen 4 March 2000 9 years ago 26 sec 4.2 -
Birds at colony Locality Belle Île, Morbihan, Bretagne, France
Pascal Vagner 24 July 2011 1 year ago 28 sec 4.2 -
A bird on top of the deck of the ferry. Locality Texel, North Holland Province, Netherlands
Yoel Jimenez 30 April 2010 2 years ago 52 sec 4.2 -
They take a bath in a group and resting. Locality Casa de Campo Park, Madrid City, Madrid, Spain
Eduardo Tejeda Lima 2 February 2013 15 weeks ago 22 sec 4 -
one bird preening Locality Den Helder, North Holland Province, Netherlands (ssp intermedius)
Daniêl Jimenez 19 May 2012 47 weeks ago 49 sec 4 -
Adult balancing on ship's rail, some ruffling of feathers & flexing wings, closeup of head Locality Stockholm, Stockholm County, Sweden (ssp fuscus)
Joe Angseesing 17 July 2008 3 years ago 44 sec 4 -
When the birds arrive on the breeding grounds in early spring, the tundra and the sea are still completely frozen Locality Pyasina Delta, Taymyr Peninsula, Krasnoyarsk Krai, Eastern Russia, Russia (ssp heuglini)
Laurent Demongin 6 June 2008 4 years ago 41 sec 4 -
Several nests with lemming pellets, eggs, hatching egg then chicks Locality Pyasina Delta, Taymyr Peninsula, Krasnoyarsk Krai, Eastern Russia, Russia (ssp heuglini)
Laurent Demongin 20 July 2008 4 years ago 27 sec 4 -
Close-up of an adult in breeding plumage Locality Pyasina Delta, Taymyr Peninsula, Krasnoyarsk Krai, Eastern Russia, Russia (ssp heuglini)
Laurent Demongin 1 July 2008 4 years ago 28 sec 4 -
An adult in breeding plumage with strange malformation under the bill Locality Pyasina Delta, Taymyr Peninsula, Krasnoyarsk Krai, Eastern Russia, Russia (ssp heuglini)
Laurent Demongin 17 July 2008 4 years ago 10 sec 4 -
An adult in breeding plumage feeding on insects in the tundra Locality Pyasina Delta, Taymyr Peninsula, Krasnoyarsk Krai, Eastern Russia, Russia (ssp heuglini)
Laurent Demongin 20 July 2008 4 years ago 45 sec 4 -
An adult attacking the observer in a colony Locality Pyasina Delta, Taymyr Peninsula, Krasnoyarsk Krai, Eastern Russia, Russia
Laurent Demongin 22 July 2008 4 years ago 17 sec 4 -
Adults in breeding plumage sitting on broken ice Locality Pyasina Delta, Taymyr Peninsula, Krasnoyarsk Krai, Eastern Russia, Russia (ssp heuglini)
Laurent Demongin 8 July 2008 4 years ago 32 sec 4 -
An adult bird (on the right) standing on a beach, with a Yellow-legged Gull (on the left) Locality Khor Kalba, Kalba, Sharjah Emirate, United Arab Emirates (ssp heuglini)
Eric Roualet 27 February 2008 4 years ago 9 sec 4 -
A bird foraging on the ground Locality Farne Islands, Northumberland, England, Great Britain (ssp graellsii)
Peter Nash 19 July 2006 6 years ago 29 sec 3.9 -
An adult swimming besides a Great Black-headed Gull and two Common Black-headed Gulls Locality Lake Ziway, Oromia Region, Ethiopia (ssp heuglini)
Josep del Hoyo 20 December 2005 6 years ago 27 sec 3.9 -
Preening Locality Salinas de Santa Pola Natural Park, Alicante, Valencian Community, Spain
Juan Sanabria 28 December 2010 1 year ago 1 min 13 sec 3.8 -
An individual on the water, among several Common Black-headed Gulls. Locality Zambujal, Estuário do Sado Nature Reserve, Portugal
Josep del Hoyo 12 October 2012 24 weeks ago 31 sec 3.8 -
Two adults swimming Locality Lake Ziway, Oromia Region, Ethiopia (ssp heuglini)
Josep del Hoyo 20 December 2005 6 years ago 27 sec 3.8 -
Adult walking & standing; includes closeups Locality Stockholm, Stockholm County, Sweden (ssp fuscus)
Joe Angseesing 17 July 2008 3 years ago 44 sec 3.8 -
A group swimming in the sea Locality Lier, Antwerp Province, Belgium
Leo Janssen 4 March 2000 9 years ago 28 sec 3.7 -
Bird adult on the beach. Locality Miami Beach, Miami-Dade County, Florida, USA (United States)
Antonio Silveira 18 March 2013 7 weeks ago 25 sec 3.7 -
A bird preening on the ground. Locality Ría de la Villa, Villaviciosa, Asturias, Spain (ssp graellsii)
Carlos Fabregat 24 August 2010 10 weeks ago 56 sec 3.7 -
A juvenile moulting into adult plumage, walking on a roof. Locality Agadir Province, Souss-Massa-Draâ Region, Morocco
Joe Angseesing 18 March 2008 3 years ago 6 sec 3.7 -
Three , with a group of sooty gull Locality Yanbu, Al Madinah Province, Saudi Arabia (ssp fuscus)
mansorea 22 June 2012 44 weeks ago 45 sec 3.7 -
A dorsal view of a first winter Locality Ostensjovannet, Oslo, Oslo & Akershus, Norway (ssp intermedius)
Eric Roualet 3 September 2006 2 years ago 8 sec 3.7 -
A close up of the head Locality Ostensjovannet, Oslo, Oslo & Akershus, Norway (ssp intermedius)
Eric Roualet 3 September 2006 2 years ago 9 sec 3.7 -
Take off, slightly slow-motioned Locality Souss Massa National Park, Souss-Massa-Draâ Region, Morocco
Juan Sanabria 1 April 2012 36 weeks ago 20 sec 3.5 -
side view and front view of adult (or very nearly an adult) stood on the beach, then takes off, revealing very heavy moult Locality Modhva, Kutch District, Gujarat, India (ssp heuglini)
Martin Kennewell 13 December 2009 3 years ago 22 sec 3.5 -
Adults calling on the frozen breeding grounds in early spring Locality Pyasina Delta, Taymyr Peninsula, Krasnoyarsk Krai, Eastern Russia, Russia (ssp heuglini)
Laurent Demongin 7 June 2008 4 years ago 31 sec 3.5 -
An adult bird swimming and chasing an immature, on the water. Locality Moinho de Maré da Mourisca, Estuário do Sado Nature Reserve, Portugal
Josep del Hoyo 12 October 2012 24 weeks ago 24 sec 3.4 -
An standing adult, preening, then flying away Locality Larache, Tangier-Tétouan Region, Morocco (ssp graellsii)
Josep del Hoyo 7 April 2007 5 years ago 26 sec 3.4 -
A first winter bird Locality Gressholmen Island, Oslo Fjord, Oslo & Akershus, Norway (ssp intermedius)
Eric Roualet 15 August 2006 2 years ago 15 sec 3.3 -
Adult standing on the shore of a pond; at one point it is startled by a juvenile Herring Gull Locality Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset, England, Great Britain (ssp graellsii)
Joe Angseesing 16 August 2003 4 years ago 16 sec 3.3 -
A group of juveniles and adults resting and bathing Locality Merja Zerga, Gharb-Chrarda-Béni Hssen Region, Morocco
Josep del Hoyo 7 April 2007 5 years ago 31 sec 3.3 -
Two birds Locality Souss Massa National Park, Souss-Massa-Draâ Region, Morocco
Juan Sanabria 1 April 2012 42 weeks ago 31 sec 3.3 -
An adult bird landing on the water and diving for food. Locality Moinho de Maré da Mourisca, Estuário do Sado Nature Reserve, Portugal
Josep del Hoyo 12 October 2012 24 weeks ago 24 sec 3.2 -
An adult bird swimming. Locality Moinho de Maré da Mourisca, Estuário do Sado Nature Reserve, Portugal
Josep del Hoyo 12 October 2012 24 weeks ago 23 sec 3.2 -
An adult Locality West Khawr, Salalah, Dhofar Governorate, Oman (ssp heuglini)
Eric Roualet 14 November 2010 2 years ago 12 sec 3.2 -
A bird on the seashore, walking and scratching its bill. Locality El Serradal Beach, Castellón de la Plana, Castellón, Valencian Community, Spain (ssp graellsii)
Carlos Fabregat 10 January 2009 13 weeks ago 38 sec 3 -
A bird standing on the seashore, preening. Locality El Serradal Beach, Castellón de la Plana, Castellón, Valencian Community, Spain (ssp graellsii)
Carlos Fabregat 10 January 2009 13 weeks ago 27 sec 3 -
An immature bird resting and yawning on the edge of a river while a Little Egret is walking and fishing close to it. Locality Canal de Gâmbia, Estuário do Sado Nature Reserve, Portugal
Josep del Hoyo 12 October 2012 24 weeks ago 13 sec 3 -
An adult Locality Gressholmen Island, Oslo Fjord, Oslo & Akershus, Norway (ssp intermedius)
Eric Roualet 26 June 2006 2 years ago 6 sec 3 -
An adult preening, besides a Common Black-headed Gull (left) and a Saunders' Gull (centre), both in winter plumage. Locality Yatsushiro Port, Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan (ssp heuglini)
Josep del Hoyo 26 January 2010 2 years ago 28 sec 3 -
2 birds feeding on a stranded carp at low tide Locality Bromley-by-Bow, London, England, Great Britain (ssp graellsii)
Stuart Fisher 17 March 2009 4 years ago 44 sec 3 -
A probable 3rd winter bird watching a falling leaf Locality Bromley-by-Bow, London, England, Great Britain (ssp graellsii)
Stuart Fisher 27 November 2008 4 years ago 6 sec 3 -
Two adults swimming Locality Lake Ziway, Oromia Region, Ethiopia (ssp heuglini)
Josep del Hoyo 20 December 2005 6 years ago 27 sec 3 -
An adult swimming besides a Great Black-headed Gull and two Common Black-headed Gulls Locality Lake Ziway, Oromia Region, Ethiopia (ssp heuglini)
Josep del Hoyo 20 December 2005 6 years ago 27 sec 3 -
Two adults calling Locality Lier, Antwerp Province, Belgium
Leo Janssen 4 March 2000 9 years ago 19 sec 3 -
A bird flying, defecating in the air. Locality Santoña Marsh Natural Reserve, Santoña, Cantabria, Spain (ssp graellsii)
Josep del Hoyo 6 December 2008 3 years ago 15 sec 2.8 -
A bird swimming Locality Awassa Lake, SNNPR Region, Ethiopia (ssp heuglini)
Josep del Hoyo 18 December 2005 6 years ago 11 sec 2.7 -
A pair Locality Gressholmen Island, Oslo Fjord, Oslo & Akershus, Norway (ssp intermedius)
Eric Roualet 12 April 2006 2 years ago 8 sec 2.7 -
A bird swimming. Locality Santoña Marsh Natural Reserve, Santoña, Cantabria, Spain (ssp graellsii)
Josep del Hoyo 6 December 2008 3 years ago 19 sec 2
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