Photo: Kathy2408 / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Least Concern

Shorebirds

Common Gull

Larus canus

Common Gull (Larus canus) — Shorebirds, Gulls & Auks of North America.

Field guide · LocationsWhere to see this bird

Found across 18 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.

Regional checklists

Birds of Western Australia Birds of New Brunswick Birds of Newfoundland and Labrador Birds of Nova Scotia Birds of Ontario Birds of Prince Edward Island Birds of Quebec Birds of England Birds of Bedfordshire Birds of Buckinghamshire

By family

Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Western Australia Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of New Brunswick Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Newfoundland and Labrador Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Nova Scotia Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Ontario Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Prince Edward Island Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Quebec Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of England

See what's near you right now

The Common Gull (Larus canus) is a member of the Laridae family found in Europe & Northern Asia and North America. Adults weigh 413 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List

LC Least Concern

Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.

Where it fits

Class Aves
Order Charadriiformes
Family Laridae Gulls, Terns, Skimmers
Genus Larus
Species canus

Where it lives

Iceland and northwestern, central Europe to Kamchatka (eastern Siberia)

Quick facts

Weight: 413 g
Diet: Omnivores
Family: Laridae
Order: Charadriiformes
Habitat: Wetland, lake & coast

How to identify

Similar birds

Not Evaluated

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Common Gull is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.

Behaviour

A bird of coastal habitats, it forages mainly on the ground.

Migration

The Common Gull is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.

The Common Gull (Larus canus) is a species of bird in the Laridae family, part of the order Charadriiformes. It occurs naturally across Europe & Northern Asia and North America. Its distribution covers NA, PAL Iceland and nw, c Europe to Kamchatka (e Siberia).

It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 413 g, with a wing length of about 35.1 cm and a tail of around 13.4 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 18 million km² — a very large global range.

Songs & calls

Common Gull — Flight call

Recorded by Uku Paal Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Common Gull?

The Common Gull is a large bird that weighs around 413 g.

Where does the Common Gull live?

The Common Gull is found across Europe & Northern Asia and North America with a range covering NA, PAL Iceland and nw, c Europe to Kamchatka (e Siberia), where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.

What family does the Common Gull belong to?

The Common Gull (Larus canus) belongs to the Laridae family, in the order Charadriiformes.

What does the Common Gull eat?

The Common Gull is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.

Does the Common Gull migrate?

The Common Gull is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.

Is the Common 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 Common Gull make?

1 real field recording of the Common 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 Common Gull's range?

The Common Gull has a mapped global range of about 18 million km².