Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
American Herring Gull
Larus smithsonianus
American Herring Gull (Larus smithsonianus) — Shorebirds, Gulls & Auks of North America.
Found across 20 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The American Herring Gull (Larus smithsonianus) is a member of the Laridae family found in North America. Adults weigh 1.1 kg. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Charadriiformes
- Family Laridae Gulls, Terns, Skimmers
- Genus Larus
- Species smithsonianus
Where it lives
Northern, western Alaska and northern Yukon across subarctic Canada to Baffin I. and Newfoundland, southern on eastern North Pacific coast to south-central British Columbia; east to Great Lakes, inland northeastern USA and western North Atlantic coast south to North Carolina
Quick facts
- Weight
- 1.1 kg
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Laridae
- Order
- Charadriiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The American Herring Gull hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of coastal habitats, it uses a wide range of foraging strategies.
Migration
The American Herring Gull is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The American Herring Gull (Larus smithsonianus) is a member of the Laridae family, within the order Charadriiformes. It is found across North America. Its distribution covers NA n, w Alaska and n Yukon across subarctic Canada to Baffin I. and Newfoundland, s on e North Pacific coast to sc British Columbia; e to Great Lakes, inland ne USA and w North Atlantic coast s to North Carolina.
It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 1.1 kg, with a wing length of about 43 cm and a tail of around 16.6 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 12.3 million km² — a very large global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the American Herring Gull?
The American Herring Gull is a very large bird that weighs around 1.1 kg.
Where does the American Herring Gull live?
The American Herring Gull is found across North America with a range covering NA n, w Alaska and n Yukon across subarctic Canada to Baffin I. and Newfoundland, s on e North Pacific coast to sc British Columbia; e to Great Lakes, inland ne USA and w North Atlantic coast s to North Carolina, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the American Herring Gull belong to?
The American Herring Gull (Larus smithsonianus) belongs to the Laridae family, in the order Charadriiformes.
What does the American Herring Gull eat?
The American Herring Gull hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the American Herring Gull migrate?
The American Herring Gull is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the American Herring Gull endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the American Herring Gull make?
1 real field recording of the American Herring Gull — including its flight call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the American Herring Gull's range?
The American Herring Gull has a mapped global range of about 12.3 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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