Common Gull

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Common Gull in the UK

Common Gull is a breeding resident and a numerous winter visitor. Despite the name, it is not the commonest gull in most places. The breeding population was put at about 49,000 pairs by the Seabird 2000 census, with the highest densities in eastern Scotland and more than half of all pairs nesting inland. Around 710,000 are present in winter, when birds from the Continent move in. Substantial declines are suspected at both coastal and inland colonies since that census, and the species is now Red-listed in the UK. In winter it spreads across the lowlands.

Where and when to see a Common Gull

From October to March, look on playing fields, golf courses, pasture and ploughed land almost anywhere, and at large reservoir roosts in the last hour of daylight. Flocks feed on worms on wet grass, often with Black-headed Gulls. In summer you need to go north and west: Scottish lochs, moors and coasts, including Orkney and Shetland, hold most of the colonies, and in Ireland it is mainly coastal. Migrants pass along the east and south coasts in early spring.

Habitat, diet and field notes

Habitat: Reservoirs, fields, coast.
Diet: Worms, invertebrates.
Field note: Gentle expression; greenish legs.

How to identify a Common Gull

Looks like a small, gentle Herring Gull. It is bigger than a Black-headed Gull, with a rounded head, a dark eye and a slim greenish-yellow bill with no red spot. The legs are greenish-yellow too. The back is a shade darker grey than a Herring Gull's, and the black wingtips carry large white spots called mirrors. Winter adults have a streaked head and often a faint dark band on the bill. First-winter birds have a grey back, brown wing coverts, a pink bill with a black tip and a clean black tail band.

Call and song

Higher and thinner than the big gulls. The usual call is a nasal, mewing 'kee-ya'. The long call is a squealing, laughing series that sounds almost falsetto next to a Herring Gull. Heard something you cannot place? Bird Hear identifies UK birds from a 10 second recording, free in your browser.

Confusion species

• European Herring Gull: Herring Gull is clearly bigger and paler grey, with a pale eye, pink legs and a heavy bill with a red spot.
• Black-legged Kittiwake: Kittiwake has black legs, a plain yellow bill and solid black wingtips with no white spots, and is seldom seen away from the sea.
• Ring-billed Gull: Ring-billed Gull, a vagrant from North America, has a paler back, a pale eye and a thicker bill with a sharp black ring.

Related guide British seabirds.

Conservation status and Birdedex points

In the Birdedex the Common Gull is a Common tier bird, worth +1 point when you log one. It is Red-listed in Birds of Conservation Concern 5, the highest level of concern in the UK.

Recent UK sightings

Similar birds

• Lesser Black-backed GullCommon · Coast
• Ring-billed GullRare · Reservoirs
• Yellow-legged GullRare · South coast
• European Herring GullCommon · Coast
• Caspian GullRare · Reservoirs
• Great Black-backed GullUncommon · Coast

Common Gull: quick answers

Is the Common Gull rare in the UK?

No, but it is less numerous than the name suggests, and breeding colonies are thought to be declining. In winter it is easy to find in most of the country. In summer it is scarce across southern Britain.

Where can I see a Common Gull in the UK?

In winter, try the nearest school field or park after rain, or a reservoir gull roost at dusk. In the breeding season, head for Scotland, where colonies sit on moorland, loch islands, shingle rivers and even flat roofs in northern towns.

What does a Common Gull eat?

Earthworms and insects from grassland, plus small fish, shellfish and scraps. It often paddles its feet on wet turf to bring worms up, and follows the plough. It scavenges less at bins and tips than the larger gulls.

Kit that helps

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