Large Seabirds
Here's a list of all the UK Large Seabirds:
Whooper Swan
Whooper Swans are majestic birds, easily recognised by their large size and pure white feathers. They stand out with a long, straight neck and striking black legs. Their black bill is adorned with a distinctive large, triangular yellow patch, making them unmistakable.
These swans are larger than the Bewick’s Swan and hold a regal posture with their necks usually held erect.
Differences Between Male and Female Whooper Swans
Male and female Whooper Swans share a similar elegant appearance, but males are generally larger. On average, males weigh between 9.8 to 11.4 kilograms and have a slightly longer wingspan, whereas females typically weigh around 8.2 to 9.2 kilograms.
Despite these size differences, both sexes exhibit the same stunning white plumage and yellow-and-black beak, making them a spectacular sight.
Learn moreSooty Shearwater
Sooty Shearwaters, known scientifically as Ardenna grisea, are distinguished by their dark, chocolate-brown plumage. These medium-large seabirds measure 40-51 cm in length with a wingspan stretching 94-110 cm.
Their flight is characterised by a unique “shearing” pattern, gliding effortlessly over water surfaces with stiff, straight wings. In certain lights, a silvery strip can be seen along the centre of their underwing, adding to their distinct appearance.
Differences Between Male and Female Sooty Shearwaters
Typically, male and female Sooty Shearwaters are similar in appearance, making it challenging to distinguish between them based solely on plumage. Both sexes share the same dark colouration and physical features.
However, subtle differences in size or behaviour during mating and nesting periods might offer clues for differentiation.
Learn moreShag
Shags are goose-sized waterbirds, draped in dark hues with long, slender necks. Notably, they have a distinct steep forehead and a slight size advantage, making them slimmer and smaller than their cormorant cousins.
Adults boast a dark, glossy green sheen during breeding season, highlighted by a recurved crest at the head. They typically range between 65-80 cm in length, with a wingspan of about 90-105 cm and weigh around 1750-2250g.
Differences Between Male And Female Shags
Male and female Shags are quite similar in appearance, but keen observers might note the males are generally larger with more pronounced crests during the breeding season.
Additionally, males might display slightly brighter plumage, a subtle yet fascinating distinction.
Learn moreRoseate Tern
Roseate Terns, similar in size to Common Terns, are strikingly white with long tail-streamers, black caps, and black beaks that sport a red-coloured base.
During summers, their underparts develop a pinkish hue, which is quite distinctive and the origin of their name. This species is recognised for its slender build, straight, thin, and pointed bills, and long, pointy wings. They are larger in size than a Least Tern yet smaller than a Royal or Sandwich Tern.
Differences Between Male And Female Roseate Terns
Males and females of this species are quite similar in appearance, making it a challenge to differentiate between the two. Both sexes share the shiny, chalky white colouration, with pale grey upper wings and striking black caps.
The bill colour and faint rosy underparts are also common features, although subtle variations might be noticed by keen observers.
Learn morePomarine Skua
Pomarine Skuas are striking seabirds, easily identifiable by their size, being slightly smaller than herring gulls. Their most notable feature in adults is the long, spoon-shaped tail streamers.
They exhibit two colour morphs: light and dark. Light morphs have a dark cap and a white underbody, while dark morphs are mostly brownish-black.
Differences Between Male And Female Pomarine Skuas
In both light and dark morphs, males and females are similar in appearance. However, males may be slightly larger and have more pronounced tail streamers.
Learn moreManx Shearwater
Manx Shearwaters are medium-sized seabirds, recognizable by their distinct black and white plumage. Their long, narrow wings and streamlined bodies make them skilled fliers over the ocean.
Differences Between Male And Female Manx Shearwaters
There are no significant visual differences between male and female Manx Shearwaters. Both sexes share the same sleek black and white colouring, with dark upper parts and white underparts.
Learn moreHerring Gull
Herring Gulls are big and striking birds. Adults are known for their light grey-coloured backs and white underparts, with characteristic black wing tips marked with ‘mirrors’.
Their legs are pink and they have webbed feet, with strong, slightly curved bills marked with red. Young birds display a mottled brown appearance.
Differences Between Male And Female Herring Gulls
While both male and female Herring Gulls share the same plumage, males are typically larger than females. This size difference is often the key to telling them apart.
Learn moreGreat Skua
Great Skuas, with their scientific name Stercorarius skua, are formidable seabirds, roughly the size of a herring gull. They have a robust build and sport a predominantly dark plumage with striking white wing flashes visible in flight.
Adults are streaked greyish brown with a black cap, whereas juveniles are warmer brown without streaking below. Their powerful flight and short, blunt tail make them easily distinguishable.
Differences Between Male And Female Great Skuas
Males and females are similar in appearance, though females are typically a bit larger. Juveniles, in contrast, lack the adults’ streaking and are darker overall.
Learn moreGreat Northern Diver
The Great Northern Diver, the largest of the UK’s divers, stands out with its hefty head and bill. Adults divers in breeding plumage display black-coloured backs with white spots, a glossy black head, and a necklace-like pattern on the neck.
Their bill is stark black, deep red eyes, and their legs are dark. In winter, they transition to a brownish-grey upper body with a white underbelly. Juveniles resemble adults in non-breeding plumage but with additional buffy scales on their upper parts.
Differences Between Male And Female Great Northern Divers
Males and females are similar in appearance, though males are generally larger and heavier.
Learn moreGreat Black-Backed Gull
The Great Black-Backed Gull stands out as the largest member of the gull family.
Adults boast a striking black back and wings, contrasting sharply with their white head, neck, and underparts. This gull’s wingspan stretches an impressive 150 to 170 cm, and it has a robust, powerful build.
The gull’s hefty beak is yellow with a reddish spot on its lower mandible, while its legs are a soft pink.
Differences Between Male and Female Great Black-Backed Gulls
Males and females are similar in appearance, but males are generally larger. Both genders display the same distinctive black and white plumage and the characteristic yellow beak with a red spot.
Learn moreGlaucous Gull
Glaucous Gulls are large, powerful seabirds, boasting a pale grey mantle and white wingtips.
Adults display a pale grey back with a white tail and underparts, complemented by a thick, yellow bill.
Juveniles exhibit very pale grey plumage with a pink and black bill. These gulls are distinguishable by their size, being larger and bulkier than the similar Iceland Gull.
Differences Between Male And Female Glaucous Gulls
Male and female Glaucous Gulls share similar plumage, with females being marginally smaller. Both exhibit the same pale colouring and stout build characteristic of the species.
Learn moreGannet
Gannets are large seabirds, predominantly white with black wingtips. Their long neck, pointed beak, and elongated tail and wings make them distinctive.
These birds glide gracefully over the water, often in small groups, and are known for their dramatic plunge-diving behaviour.
Differences Between Male And Female Gannets
Male and female Gannets look similar, with both sporting a bright white plumage, black-tipped wings, and a yellowish head. However, males are slightly larger than females, with a longer beak and wingspan.
Learn moreFulmar
Resembling gulls, Fulmars are distinguished by their greyish white plumage and a unique flight pattern on stiff wings. They glide gracefully over the sea, alternating between showing off their white underparts and grey upperparts.
Differences Between Male And Female Fulmars
Males and females are similar in appearance, making it challenging to distinguish between them based on plumage alone.
Learn moreEider
Eiders are the UK’s heaviest and fastest-flying ducks, part of the genus Somateria.
Adult males are striking with a mix of black and white plumage and a distinctive sloping forehead that often extends almost to its crown. They boast a wingspan of 80-108 cm and can measure up to 71cm in length.
Eiders are easily recognisable by their size and unique bill shape.
Differences Between Male And Female Eiders
Male eiders are mostly white on their upper bodies and black below, with a black cap and pale green nape. The females, however, are warmish brown with dense black barring. Both sexes have a green to black beak and brown legs.
Learn moreCormorant
Cormorants are striking large, black waterbirds, easily spotted due to their size and colour.
With a wingspan of 130-160 cm and weighing between 2.1-2.5kg, they possess a reptilian-like neck and an almost prehistoric appearance. Their unique stance of standing with wings spread to dry is a familiar sight along UK coastlines.
Differences Between Male And Female Cormorants
Male and female Cormorants are similar in appearance, making it challenging to distinguish between them based on looks alone.
Learn more