Lesser Black-backed Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull (<em>Larus fuscus</em>) is a species of Gulls, Terns, Skimmers (<em>Laridae</em>) in the order Shorebirds, Gulls and Alcids.
Overview
Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) is a species of Gulls, Terns, Skimmers (Laridae) in the order Shorebirds, Gulls and Alcids. A large gull with a dark slate back and yellow legs; a bold scavenger of coasts and landfill, migrating south in winter; one of the darkest-backed gulls.
Scientific Classification
Genus: Larus; binomial: Larus fuscus; authority: Linnaeus, 1758. Typical size: 51-61cm. Average lifespan: 10-25 years.
Distribution
Breeding range: the Palearctic. Non-breeding range: to sw Europe, wc, ec Africa, nw India, and e North America.
Conservation Status
This taxon is listed as Extant (living) in the IOC World Bird List.
Remarks
Lesser Black-backed Gull includes Heuglin's Gull L. heuglini as subspecies following Collinson et al. (2008). But see phylogeny in Černý & Natale (2022) which places it sister to L. dominicanus.
