Family: Laridae, Gulls and Terns view all from this family

Description 23" (58 cm). Slightly smaller than the Herring Gull. Adult has yellow legs; dark slate-gray back and wings. Immatures of this species and Herring Gull are very similar and hard to distinguish.

Habitat Nearly all types of open country-coasts, islands, fields, lakes, airports, refuse dumps, etc.

Nesting 3 pale-green eggs, spotted with brown, in a nest sparsely lined with grass or laden with debris, placed on open ground or on rocky islets. Usually nests in colonies.

Range Breeds in northern Europe. An uncommon but increasingly regular visitor to eastern North America; rarer inland and in West.

Voice A strident kyow; deeper than that of Herring Gull.

Discussion Although this Old World species is rare on the American side of the Atlantic, it can be found in and around larger cities, not only along the coast but also in the Great Lakes region. During the colder months it may be found at garbage dumps, sewer outlets, and reservoirs.