Great Black-backed Gull
Larus marinus
Length 64-79cm

Our largest gull. Superficially similar to lesser black-backed but always looks more bulky and has pink, not yellow, legs. Bill massive and upperwings appear uniformly black in flight. Immatures resemble other large gulls of similar ages and best told by size and bulk. Breeds in small numbers around coasts of Britain and Ireland; least frequent on E and SE coasts of England. Pairs usually widely spaced and nest sited close to seabird colony; prey on adults, chicks and young of smaller species. In winter, mostly stays near coast but will visit inland rubbish tips. Laughing call is noticeably deeper than that of other gulls.