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Gulls

Gulls

Known to most as seagulls, this group of birds is famous at the coast. Many people confuse gulls with terns but there are a few differences:

  • gulls have broad wings while terns’ wings are longer and more pointed
  • gulls have hooked bills while terns have slim, pointed bills
  • gulls are larger than terns
  • gulls tend to float on water to pick up prey while terns dive into the water.

We have many different species of gulls that can be spotted on the Solent shores. Take a look and find out more about these, often misunderstood, bird species.

Black headed gull winter plumage

Black-headed gull

In summer they have a white head and a dark chocolate brown hood, not black as their name suggests. Their head only appears black from a distance. In winter they have a white head with a black ear spot as shown in the picture.

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Common gull

Common gull

Adult common gulls look like smaller, more benign versions of a herring gull except they have greenish legs rather than pink, and don’t have the distinctive red dot on their beaks.

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A great black backed gull standing in shallow water

Great black-backed gull

Great black-backed gulls are large and powerful gulls. They will eat most things but usually prefer fish, crustaceans and shellfish. They have also been known to eat birds and mammals – including rabbits which they can swallow down in one!

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A herring gull with a yellow bill with a red spot, a white head and belly and grey back and wings

Herring gull

The commonly referred “seagull” heard at the seaside. They can also be found inland around rubbish tips, fields and large reservoirs and lakes, especially in winter. Herring gulls are clever and very opportunistic and have the reputation of stealing chips and ice creams.

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Lesser black backed gull

Lesser black-backed gull

They have a dark grey back and wings and yellow legs which makes them easier to tell apart from herring gulls. They look a little more  elegant in flight compared to other larger gulls due to their longer wings. 

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Mediterranean gull

Mediterranean gull

It wasn’t long ago that the Med gull was considered an uncommon sighting along our shoreline – they were a very rare UK bird until the 1950s.

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