Appearance: The Great black-backed gull is the largest gull in the world at about 28-32″ long. They’re white with black upper wings and backs. The bill is yellow with a small red spot at the tip. Eyes are dark, legs pink, and white under the wings. The female looks the same.
Diet: They eat water prey such as fish, crabs, mussels, marine invertebrates, and other birds. They’re also scavengers so have no problem dining on dead fish, carrion, and human garbage.
Feeder food: They don’t visit feeders.
Habitat: Great black-backed gulls live along the Atlantic coast from Canada to Florida as well as inland surrounding the Great Lake.
Nesting: They have 1 brood/season and 2-3 light yellow/green eggs – often with spots. Incubation lasts 30-32 days and nestlings are ready to fledge after 1 day.
Range Map
