How to identify the Mew Gull

To correctly identify the Mew Gull (Larus canus), check each of these features. Birds can be tricky: habit, habitat, and call often confirm a sighting that a single photo cannot.

Size at a glance

Length

40-46 cm (16-18 in)

Wingspan

110-125 cm (43-49 in)

Weight

290-550 g (10-19 oz)

Physical features to check

1. 1

   Plumage

   Overall feather coloration and pattern.

   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.

2. 2

   Beak shape

   Shape and color of the bill: a key field mark.

   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.

3. 3

   Eye color

   Iris color and any distinctive eye markings.

   Dark brown, giving a 'gentle' expression.

4. 4

   Leg color

   Leg and foot color.

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

5. 5

   Distinguishing features

   Standout features that separate this species.

   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.

6. 6

   Juvenile appearance

   How young birds differ from adults.

   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.

7. 7

   Seasonal changes

   Plumage variation between breeding and non-breeding seasons.

   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.

8. 8

   Sexual dimorphism

   How males and females differ.

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

Key field marks

• 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.
• 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.
• Legs. Adults have yellowish-green legs, contrasting with the pink legs of Herring Gulls and the brighter yellow legs of Ring-billed Gulls.
• Eye. Dark eye, giving a 'gentle' or 'kind' expression, unlike the often fierce-looking yellow eyes of larger gulls.
• Wingtips (Adult). Black wingtips with prominent white 'mirrors' (spots) on the outer primaries. The black is less extensive than on Ring-billed Gulls.
• 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.
• 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.
• Call. Listen for the characteristic 'mewing' call, a plaintive 'kyew' or 'kyaaa', which is softer than the calls of larger gulls.

Explore the Mew Gull