Yellow-legged Gull

Description #

Adults have darker grey backs and wings than herring gulls, but are paler than lesser black-backed gulls. The legs are bright yellow, there is a red ring around the eye and the bill is yellow with a large red spot. In non-breeding plumage, the head is less streaked and whiter than herring gulls. Juvenile yellow-legged gulls are very similar to juvenile lesser black-backed gulls, but tend to be whiter-headed and start to gain a grey 'saddle' on their backs quickly as they moult to first winter plumage. Immature birds gain adult-like characteristics as they mature over the course of five years with the legs turning yellow and dark grey feathers replacing the brown and black immature feathers.

Gallery #

Similar species #

Herring gull

Larus argentatus

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Larus fuscus

Common Gull

Larus canus