Bird GuideGulls and TernsYellow-legged Gull
Yellow-legged Gull
Larus michahellis

At a Glance

Long considered just a yellow-legged race of the Herring Gull, this form was recently recognized as a full species. Native to southern Europe, it has strayed very rarely to eastern North America.
Category
Gull-like Birds, Gulls and Terns
Conservation
Low Concern
Habitat
Coasts and Shorelines, Landfills and Dumps, Saltwater Wetlands
Region
Eastern Canada, Mid Atlantic

Range & Identification

Description

25" (64 cm). Very rare visitor to northeast from Europe. Like Herring Gull but upperparts barely darker gray, head with less dark streaking in winter, legs yellow.
Size
About the size of a Mallard or Herring Gull
Color
Black, Brown, Gray, White, Yellow
Wing Shape
Long, Pointed, Tapered
Tail Shape
Rounded, Short, Square-tipped

Songs and Calls

A deep, strident kyow.
Call Pattern
Falling, Flat
Call Type
Raucous, Scream