Mew Gull

About

The Mew Gull, also known as Common Gull in Europe, is a medium-sized gull characterized by its relatively small, delicate bill, rounded head, and gentle expression. It is a widespread species found across the Northern Hemisphere, typically inhabiting coastal areas, estuaries, and inland waters, particularly during migration and winter.

Size & lifespan

Length

40-46 cm (16-18 in)

Wingspan

110-125 cm (43-49 in)

Weight

290-550 g (10-19 oz)

Lifespan

Up to 20 years in the wild, typically 10-15 years.

Diet

Omnivore, primarily opportunistic feeders consuming fish, marine invertebrates, insects, worms, small rodents, berries, carrion, and refuse.

Physical characteristics

Plumage

Adult breeding plumage features a white head, body, and tail, with a pale grey mantle and upperwings. The wingtips are black with prominent white 'mirrors' (spots). Non-breeding adults have fine streaking on the head and nape. Juveniles and first-winter birds are mottled brown and grey, gradually acquiring adult plumage over two to three years.

Beak shape

Relatively small, slender, and delicate bill, typically yellowish-green in adults, often with a dusky or blackish subterminal band in non-breeding plumage. Juveniles have a pinkish bill with a dark tip.

Eye color

Dark brown, giving a 'gentle' expression.

Leg color

Yellowish-green in adults, pinkish-grey in juveniles.

Distinguishing features

Small, delicate bill, rounded head, dark eye, and yellowish-green legs are key adult features. The extent of black on the wingtips with distinct white mirrors is also diagnostic. In flight, the relatively narrow wings and buoyant flight are noticeable.

Juvenile appearance

First-winter birds are heavily mottled brown and grey on the head, neck, and upperparts, with a dark bar on the inner primaries and a dark tail band. The bill is pinkish with a dark tip, and legs are pinkish-grey. They gradually lighten and acquire more grey in their second winter.

Seasonal changes

Breeding adults have a pure white head and neck. Non-breeding adults develop fine, dusky streaking on the head and nape, particularly around the eye and hindneck. The bill may also show a dusky subterminal band.

Sexual dimorphism

Males and females are generally similar in plumage and size, though males may be slightly larger.

How to identify

1. 1

   Size and Build

   Medium-sized gull, smaller and more delicate than Herring Gulls, but larger than Bonaparte's Gulls. Appears elegant with a rounded head and slender body.

2. 2

   Bill

   Adults have a relatively small, slender, yellowish-green bill, often with a dusky subterminal band in non-breeding plumage. This is a key differentiator from the Ring-billed Gull's thicker, ringed bill.

3. 3

   Legs

   Adults have yellowish-green legs, contrasting with the pink legs of Herring Gulls and the brighter yellow legs of Ring-billed Gulls.

4. 4

   Eye

   Dark eye, giving a 'gentle' or 'kind' expression, unlike the often fierce-looking yellow eyes of larger gulls.

5. 5

   Wingtips (Adult)

   Black wingtips with prominent white 'mirrors' (spots) on the outer primaries. The black is less extensive than on Ring-billed Gulls.

6. 6

   Plumage (Non-breeding Adult)

   Fine dusky streaking on the head and nape, especially around the eye, which distinguishes it from the pure white head of breeding adults.

7. 7

   Juvenile Plumage

   Mottled brown and grey overall, with a dark tail band and a pinkish bill with a dark tip. Look for the relatively small size and delicate structure even in juvenile plumage.

8. 8

   Call

   Listen for the characteristic 'mewing' call, a plaintive 'kyew' or 'kyaaa', which is softer than the calls of larger gulls.

Habitat & range

Biomes

Coastal areas, estuaries, large rivers, lakes, agricultural fields, urban parks, and refuse dumps.

Geographic range

Holarctic. Breeds across northern Europe, Asia, and northwestern North America (Alaska and western Canada). Winters south to the Mediterranean, Black Sea, Caspian Sea, East Asia, and the Pacific coast of North America.

Elevation range

Primarily lowlands, from sea level up to several hundred meters, especially near water bodies.

Preferred environments

Coastal beaches, rocky shores, mudflats, estuaries, agricultural land, freshwater lakes, and rivers. Often found in urban and suburban areas, especially during winter, foraging in parks, playing fields, and parking lots.

Behavior

Activity time

Diurnal, active during daylight hours.

Feeding habits

Highly opportunistic. Forages by walking, wading, swimming, and occasionally diving. Eats fish, crustaceans, mollusks, insects (especially earthworms after rain), small mammals, berries, eggs and chicks of other birds, and human refuse. Often follows plows in agricultural fields to catch invertebrates.

Social behavior

Highly social, especially outside the breeding season. Forms large flocks for foraging, roosting, and migration. Breeds in colonies, sometimes mixed with other gull species.

Flight pattern

Graceful and buoyant flight with relatively shallow wing beats. Often glides on updrafts. Can be seen soaring high or hovering over water when foraging.

Migration pattern

Migratory across most of its range. Northern populations move south for the winter, often to coastal areas or large inland water bodies. Some populations in milder coastal regions may be resident or undertake shorter movements.

Territoriality

Territorial during the breeding season, defending a small area around the nest within the colony. Less territorial outside the breeding season.

Breeding & reproduction

Breeding season

Typically May to July.

Nesting habits

Nests colonially on the ground, often on small islands, coastal cliffs, dunes, or marshy areas. Nests are scrapes lined with grass, seaweed, moss, and feathers.

Clutch size

2-4 eggs, most commonly 3.

Egg description

Usually 2-4 eggs, olive-brown to greenish-blue, heavily spotted and blotched with dark brown or black.

Incubation period

23-28 days, incubated by both parents.

Fledging period

30-35 days after hatching. Young are semi-precocial, leaving the nest shortly after hatching but remaining dependent on parents.

Parental care

Both parents participate in incubation, brooding, and feeding the chicks until they fledge and for a period thereafter.

Where to find

Field tips

1. Observe Bill and Leg Color. These are crucial for distinguishing Mew Gulls from similar species like Ring-billed Gulls. Look for the slender, yellowish-green bill and yellowish-green legs.
2. Note Head Shape and Eye. The rounded head and dark eye give it a 'gentle' expression, a good field mark.
3. Check Wingtip Pattern. In adults, the black wingtips with distinct white mirrors are diagnostic. Compare the extent of black to other gulls.
4. Listen for Calls. The 'mewing' call is distinctive and can help confirm identification, especially when visual cues are challenging.
5. Consider Geographic Location. While widespread, their distribution can help narrow down possibilities, especially in North America where they are primarily a Pacific coast species (known as Short-billed Gull) or a winter visitor inland.
6. Observe Behavior. Their more delicate foraging style and less aggressive demeanor compared to larger gulls can be an indicator.

Similar species

Quick facts

Common Name:

Mew Gull (Common Gull in Europe)

Scientific Name:

Larus canus

Family:

Laridae

Size:

Medium (40-46 cm)

Bill Color (Adult):

Yellowish-green, often with dusky band

Leg Color (Adult):

Yellowish-green

Eye Color:

Dark

Key Feature:

Small, delicate bill; dark eye; yellowish-green legs; black wingtips with white mirrors

Diet:

Omnivore

Conservation Status:

Least Concern

Fun facts

• The name 'Mew Gull' comes from its distinctive 'mewing' call, which sounds similar to a cat's meow.
• In North America, the subspecies 'brachyrhynchus' is often treated as a separate species, the Short-billed Gull (Larus brachyrhynchus), due to genetic and morphological differences, though this split is not universally accepted by all taxonomic authorities.
• Mew Gulls are known to follow fishing boats and agricultural machinery, taking advantage of disturbed prey.
• Despite being a 'gull', their relatively gentle nature and smaller size often lead them to be overlooked or misidentified among larger, more boisterous gull species.

Scientific classification

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Aves

Order

Charadriiformes

Family

Laridae

Genus

Larus

Species

Larus canus

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