Difference between revisions of "Field Guide/Birds/Larus argentatus"
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{{Taxobox_begin | color=pink | name=Herring Gull}} | {{Taxobox_begin | color=pink | name=Herring Gull}} | ||
{{Taxobox_image | image = [[image:herring.gull.500pix.jpg|250px]] | caption = Herring Gull ''Larus argentatus argenteus.''<br />English south coast. Standing on spikes<br />designed to prevent gulls from landing.}} | {{Taxobox_image | image = [[image:herring.gull.500pix.jpg|250px]] | caption = Herring Gull ''Larus argentatus argenteus.''<br />English south coast. Standing on spikes<br />designed to prevent gulls from landing.}} | ||
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{{Taxobox_end}} | {{Taxobox_end}} | ||
| − | The '''Herring Gull''', ''Larus argentatus'', is a large [[gull]] which breeds across [[North America]] [[Europe]] and [[Asia]]. It [[bird migration|migrates]] further south in winter. Some are permanent residents on the lower [[Great Lakes]] and the east coast of North America. Herring Gulls are also abundant around inland garbage dumps, and some have even adapted to life in inland cities. | + | The '''Herring Gull''', ''Larus argentatus'', is a large [[gull]] which breeds across [[North America]], [[Europe]] and [[Asia]]. It [[bird migration|migrates]] further south in winter. Some are permanent residents on the lower [[Great Lakes]] and the east coast of North America. Herring Gulls are also abundant around inland garbage dumps, and some have even adapted to life in inland cities. |
The taxonomy of the Herring Gull / [[Lesser Black-backed Gull]] complex is very complicated, different authorities recognising between two and eight species. | The taxonomy of the Herring Gull / [[Lesser Black-backed Gull]] complex is very complicated, different authorities recognising between two and eight species. | ||
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* '''Herring Gull''', ''Larus argentatus'' | * '''Herring Gull''', ''Larus argentatus'' | ||
| − | * '''American Herring Gull''', ''Larus smithsonianus'' | + | * '''[[American Herring Gull]]''', ''Larus smithsonianus'' |
* '''[[Caspian Gull]]''', ''Larus cachinnans'' | * '''[[Caspian Gull]]''', ''Larus cachinnans'' | ||
| − | * '''[[Yellow-legged Gull]]''', ''Larus | + | * '''[[Yellow-legged Gull]]''', ''Larus michahellis'' |
| − | * '''East Siberian Herring Gull''', ''Larus vegae'' | + | * '''[[East Siberian Herring Gull]]''', ''Larus vegae'' |
| − | * '''Armenian Gull''', ''Larus armenicus'' | + | * '''[[Armenian Gull]]''', ''Larus armenicus'' |
Adults are easily identified by their size, pale grey back and the red spot on the beak. Legs are pink at all ages. The bird depicted is the western European race ''Larus argentatus argenteus''. The Scandinavian race ''L. a. argentatus'' is slightly larger and darker, with more white in the wing tips. | Adults are easily identified by their size, pale grey back and the red spot on the beak. Legs are pink at all ages. The bird depicted is the western European race ''Larus argentatus argenteus''. The Scandinavian race ''L. a. argentatus'' is slightly larger and darker, with more white in the wing tips. | ||
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| − | == External | + | ==External links== |
* [http://audubon-print.com/herring-gull.html Herring Gull by John Audubon] | * [http://audubon-print.com/herring-gull.html Herring Gull by John Audubon] | ||
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[[bg:Сребриста чайка]] | [[bg:Сребриста чайка]] | ||
[[cs:Racek stříbřitý]] | [[cs:Racek stříbřitý]] | ||
| + | [[cy:Gwylan y Penwaig]] | ||
[[da:Sølvmåge]] | [[da:Sølvmåge]] | ||
[[de:Silbermöwe]] | [[de:Silbermöwe]] | ||
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[[fr:Goéland argenté]] | [[fr:Goéland argenté]] | ||
[[it:Larus argentatus]] | [[it:Larus argentatus]] | ||
| + | [[lt:Sidabrinis kiras]] | ||
[[nl:Zilvermeeuw]] | [[nl:Zilvermeeuw]] | ||
[[ja:セグロカモメ]] | [[ja:セグロカモメ]] | ||
Revision as of 01:22, 8 January 2006
Template:Unreferenced Template:Taxobox begin Template:Taxobox image Template:Taxobox begin placement Template:Taxobox regnum entry Template:Taxobox phylum entry Template:Taxobox classis entry Template:Taxobox ordo entry Template:Taxobox familia entry Template:Taxobox genus entry Template:Taxobox species entry Template:Taxobox end placement Template:Taxobox section binomial Template:Taxobox end
The Herring Gull, Larus argentatus, is a large gull which breeds across North America, Europe and Asia. It migrates further south in winter. Some are permanent residents on the lower Great Lakes and the east coast of North America. Herring Gulls are also abundant around inland garbage dumps, and some have even adapted to life in inland cities.
The taxonomy of the Herring Gull / Lesser Black-backed Gull complex is very complicated, different authorities recognising between two and eight species.
This group has a ring distribution around the northern hemisphere. Differences between adjacent forms in this ring are fairly small, but by the time the circuit is completed, the end members, Herring Gull and Lesser Black-backed Gull, are clearly different species.
The Association of European Taxonomic Committees recognises six species:
- Herring Gull, Larus argentatus
- American Herring Gull, Larus smithsonianus
- Caspian Gull, Larus cachinnans
- Yellow-legged Gull, Larus michahellis
- East Siberian Herring Gull, Larus vegae
- Armenian Gull, Larus armenicus
Adults are easily identified by their size, pale grey back and the red spot on the beak. Legs are pink at all ages. The bird depicted is the western European race Larus argentatus argenteus. The Scandinavian race L. a. argentatus is slightly larger and darker, with more white in the wing tips.
The North American American Herring Gull is similar to argentatus, except that immature birds tend to be darker and more uniformly brown.
These are omnivores like most Larus gulls, and will scavenge on rubbish tips and elsewhere, as well as seeking suitable small prey in fields or on the coast, or robbing plovers or lapwings of their catches.
Eggs, usually three, are laid on the ground or cliff ledges in colonies, and are defended vigorously by this large gull. The loud laughing call is well-known in the northern hemisphere.
Parasites of Herring gulls include the fluke Microphallus piriformes.
File:Juvenile Gull 800.jpg A juvenile Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) |
External links
bg:Сребриста чайка cs:Racek stříbřitý cy:Gwylan y Penwaig da:Sølvmåge de:Silbermöwe eo:Arĝentmevo fr:Goéland argenté it:Larus argentatus lt:Sidabrinis kiras nl:Zilvermeeuw ja:セグロカモメ pl:Mewa srebrzysta pt:Gaivota prateada sl:Srebrni galeb fi:Harmaalokki sv:Gråtrut zh:银鸥
