Herring gull is a fairly large bird from the gull family, common in many parts of Europe, including Belarus. It is one of the most familiar gull species due to its ubiquitous presence and characteristic behavior. Larus argentatus reaches a length of about 55-67 centimeters, and the wingspan is 120-150 cm. Adult birds weigh from 0,7 to 1,5 kg.
The adult herring gull has white plumage on the head, neck and belly, and the back and wings are gray. The wing tips are black with white spots, which is a characteristic feature of the species. The legs of adult birds are pale yellow, and the beak is bright yellow with a red spot on the lower part (the so-called “feeding spot”).
Young herring gulls (juveniles) have brownish-gray spotted plumage. This plumage serves as camouflage and makes them less noticeable. The fully adult appearance of plumage in gulls is formed by the age of 4, when they reach sexual maturity.
Young herring gulls gradually change their plumage as they mature. Young gulls have a dark bill, most often blackish-brown, and dark legs. The head of young gulls may have more mottled and brownish plumage. This distinguishes them from adults, whose heads are completely white.
Herring gulls are known for their omnivorous diet: they feed on fish, shellfish, small mammals, carrion and food waste, and are often found in landfills and near populated areas. These birds live in coastal areas, on islands, near sea coasts, rivers and lakes, nesting on rocky cliffs, sandy beaches and even on the roofs of buildings in cities. In Minsk, herring gulls can be seen on almost all bodies of water.
Larus argentatus form strong pairs for life. Males and females work together to build nests, incubate eggs and raise chicks, and display complex courtship rituals such as food sharing and choral singing. Birds are considered intelligent - capable of learning and adapting to new conditions, easily finding new sources of food and often using the environment to their advantage. For example, they throw shellfish onto a hard surface to break their shells (somewhat reminiscent of gray crows).
Herring gulls have excellent navigation skills and can travel long distances between breeding and wintering grounds. In some regions they remain sedentary, while in others they migrate south for the winter. Some members of this gull species become local celebrities in cities due to their habits of stealing food from people or their unusual behavior, which makes them the subject of local news and videos on the Internet.
