Iceland Gull

Larus glaucoides

Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides) — Shorebirds, Gulls & Auks of North America.

Field guide · LocationsWhere to see this bird

Found across 20 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.

Regional checklists

Birds of Alberta Birds of British Columbia Birds of Manitoba Birds of New Brunswick Birds of Newfoundland and Labrador Birds of Nova Scotia Birds of Northwest Territories Birds of Nunavut Birds of Ontario Birds of Prince Edward Island

By family

Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Alberta Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of British Columbia Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Manitoba Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of New Brunswick Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Newfoundland and Labrador Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Nova Scotia Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Northwest Territories Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Nunavut Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Ontario Gulls, Terns & Skimmers of Prince Edward Island

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The Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides) is a member of the Laridae family found in Europe & Northern Asia and North America. Adults weigh 693 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 glaucoides

Where it lives

Arctic northeastern Canada to Greenland

Quick facts

Weight: 693 g
Diet: Aquatic hunters
Family: Laridae
Order: Charadriiformes
Habitat: Wetland, lake & coast

How to identify

Similar birds

Not Evaluated

Biology & behaviour

Diet

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

The Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides) is a species of bird in the Laridae family, part of the order Charadriiformes. Its range spans Europe & Northern Asia and North America. Its distribution covers NA, PAL Arctic ne Canada to Greenland.

It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 693 g, with a wing length of about 39.6 cm and a tail of around 15.7 cm.

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

The species has a mapped global range of roughly 1.7 million km².

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Iceland Gull?

The Iceland Gull is a large bird that weighs around 693 g.

Where does the Iceland Gull live?

The Iceland Gull is found across Europe & Northern Asia and North America with a range covering NA, PAL Arctic ne Canada to Greenland, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.

What family does the Iceland Gull belong to?

The Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides) belongs to the Laridae family, in the order Charadriiformes.

What does the Iceland Gull eat?

The Iceland Gull hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Does the Iceland Gull migrate?

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

Is the Iceland 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.

How large is the Iceland Gull's range?

The Iceland Gull has a mapped global range of about 1.7 million km².