Yellow-Legged Gull Vs Herring Gull: Key Differences Explained
Until quite recently the Yellow-Legged Gull was considered to be a type of Herring Gull. In fact it wasn’t until 2005 that the British Ornithologists Union recognised the Yellow-Legged Gull as a species.
The two birds are extremely similar to each other which can make identifying the two difficult. This is especially true if they are seen amongst flocks of other gulls from a distance.
In this article I’ll attempt to highlight the main differences between these two separate species of gull. Keep reading to find out more.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Yellow-Legged gulls have darker backs than herring gulls
- Herring gulls typically have pink legs whereas yellow-legged gulls have yellow legs
- Herring gulls have a dark yellow ring around their eyes whereas yellow-legged gulls have a red ring around their eyes
- Yellow-Legged gulls have a more southerly distribution whereas herring gulls are found all around the UK
What Is The Difference Between Yellow-Legged Gulls And Herring Gulls?
Although these two bird species are extremely similar, it is possible to differentiate between them in some cases. In this section let’s look at those differences however subtle, to help make a firm identification for each species.
Visual Differences
Visually, these two birds can be very similar especially if seen from a distance. They have similar colours and both have a red spot on the end of their bill. However;
Herring gulls are extremely large for gulls with pale grey upperparts, white underparts and pink legs. During the summertime they have a white head which gets dark streaks during the winter. Their wingtips are black with white spots which are known as “mirrors”. Look for the dark yellow ring around the eye.
Yellow-Legged gulls are very similar to herring gulls but they can be distinguished by their bright yellow legs and their slightly darker back. In winter their heads don’t have as many dark streaks as herring gulls. The wingtips of the yellow-legged gull have much more black on them with just a few white spots. Look for the red ring around the eye similar to that of the lesser black-backed gull.
Differences In Habitat
Herring gulls are a common sight around large areas of the UK and Ireland. They can be found around coastal areas as well as inland bodies of water, in fields and around rubbish tips.
Some migrate south in winter but many are residents all year round particularly in milder areas of Britain and Ireland. They can also be found in cities and can be quite aggressive towards humans even stealing food from your hand.
Yellow-Legged gulls tend to breed around the Mediterranean in coastal regions and islands ranging from Europe to North Africa and the Middle East. Many migrate to Western Europe, Senegal and the Red Sea during winter while many more remain residents in the UK all year round.
They’re often found in cities as well as in coastal regions and can be quite aggressive and will boldly steal food from your hand. Yellow-legged gulls tend to have a southerly distribution in the UK and Ireland whereas herring gulls tend to be common in all parts of the UK and Ireland.
Nests & Eggs
Herring gulls tend to nest on the ground or on the edges of cliffs in large colonies where they build simple scrape nests. Yellow-Legged gulls tend to nest in similar places as herring gulls, scrape nests built on the ground or on the edges of cliffs. However, many yellow-legged gulls have also taken to nesting on buildings and in trees in cities especially in places like Portugal, Galicia and Gibraltar.
Herring gull eggs are a pale olive, buff or greenish colour with dark blotches or speckling. The eggs are around 65 x 48 mm in size and weigh around 92 grams. They lay anywhere between 2 to 4 eggs around early May.
Yellow-Legged gull eggs are a greenish-brown or olive colour with dark brown specks or blotches. The eggs are around 60 x 45 mm in size and oval shaped and weigh around 85 grams. They lay anywhere between 2 to 4 eggs anytime between mid March to early May.
Bird Calls
The call of the herring gull is a sound that’s often associated with the seaside. They have a loud call that sounds like they’re laughing. The call of the yellow-legged gull is similar and also sounds like a loud laugh but is more nasal than that of the herring gull.
Size & Weight
Herring gulls are big even for gulls with an average length of around 54 to 60 cm and a wingspan ranging from 130 to 150 cm. They can weigh anywhere between 690 grams up to 1,440 grams with males being slightly larger than females.
Yellow-Legged gulls have an average length of anywhere between 50 to 70 cms and a wingspan that ranges from 120 to 155 cms. They can weigh anywhere between 550 to 1,600 grams with males being slightly larger than females.
Due to the similarity in size, weight and wingspan and the variations between both species, it can be difficult to identify these two birds using these dimensions as a guide.
SEE ALSO: Arctic Tern Vs Black Headed Gull: Key Differences Explained
Frequently Asked Questions
The main difference between a herring gull and a yellow-legged gull is that yellow-legged gulls are slightly larger and have a slightly darker colouring than herring gulls. Herring gulls often have pink legs although some have yellow legs, whereas the legs of the yellow-legged gull are always yellow.
Male herring gulls tend to be larger than females and have larger bills as well as bigger heads. These differences are easier to spot when the male and female herring gull are side by side.
The largest breed of seagull is the great black-backed gull which has a powerful build and rules the coastline wherever it is located.
