glaucous

1. Bird Name

English: Glaucous Gull
Scientific: Larus hyperboreus

2. Appearance

As its name suggests, the mature Glaucous Gull is known for its glaucous, or snowy, coloration. Both male and female feature a pure white body paired with light-grey wings and back, set off by a thick yellow bill with a red spot on the lower mandible. Immature gulls initially boast a biscuit-brown hue, gradually transitioning to adult coloration over a period of four years. The bird’s relatively large size, pale plumage, and powerful bill make it easily identifiable.

3. Size

These gulls are quite large, ranging from 55-77 cm (22-30 inches) in length. Their wingspan can stretch from 132 to 170 cm (52-67 inches) across. The weight range of this species is around 1.2-2.3 kg (2.6-5.1 lbs), with males typically being the larger sex.

4. Habitat & Distribution

Glaucous Gulls inhabit Arctic regions around the world including North America (especially Alaska and Canada), Europe, and Asia. They nest on cliffs or on the ground in coastal areas or on islands, and are often found in open sea environments in the winter. The species, however, is also known to visit inland waste disposal sites.

5. Interesting Facts

Glaucous Gulls are opportunistic feeders. They even resort to robbing nests of other birds, a behaviour that often sees them being chased away by the parent birds of various species. These gulls have also been spotted following polar bears to feed on leftover scraps.

6. Diet

Despite being partial to coastal regions, Glaucous Gulls do not feed exclusively on marine life. Their varied diet includes fish, carrion, insects, birds, eggs, small mammals, berries, and waste from human settlements.

7. Behavior & Sounds

These birds are known for their bold and aggressive behavior, especially when feeding, frequently bully smaller gulls and seabirds. They nest in relatively flat areas, usually in a scrape lined with vegetation. Their calls are a variety of harsh, nasal sounds, including a raucous “klaa-klaa-klaa” alarm call.

8. Conservation Status

The Glaucous Gull is a species of Least Concern according to the IUCN Red List. However, like many Arctic species, it may become threatened by climate change and other environmental disruptions in the future.

9. Lifespan

These gulls have a long lifespan with reports of individuals reaching up to 19 years in the wild. Lifespan in captivity can often be longer, although specific data for this species is not available.

10. Additional Notes

Glaucous Gulls are known by various other names in the locations they inhabit. For instance, they’re known as “Havmåge” in Danish, and “Mouette des neiges” in French. One of the older, less formal English names for this gull is “Burgomaster”, a term that may have been spawned by the bird’s domineering demeanor. As mentioned earlier, these gulls show remarkably opportunistic foraging behaviors and, as such, play a crucial role in maintaining balance in the ecosystem by consuming dead animals and waste.