Herring Gull Larus argentatus ssp. argenteus

The Herring Gull, Larus argentatus, is a large and familiar gull belonging to the family Laridae, and for many people the quintessential sound and sight of the British seaside. Adults are silver-grey above with white underparts, black wingtips spotted with white, a heavy yellow bill with a distinctive red spot, and pale pink legs. Once primarily a coastal and cliff-nesting species, it has adapted extensively to urban environments, nesting on rooftops and exploiting human food waste. Despite its familiarity, the Herring Gull has undergone a substantial and prolonged decline in Britain, particularly at traditional coastal colonies, and is a Red List species of conservation concern. The reasons for its decline are complex and not fully understood, but likely include changes in food availability and disturbance at nesting sites. Image: © Edwyn Anderton, Flickr.

Find out more: RSPB, Suffolk Wildlife Trust, iNaturalist