Slaty-backed Gull

1. Bird Name
The English name of the bird is the Slaty-backed Gull, and the scientific (Latin) name is Larus schistisagus.

2. Appearance
The Slaty-backed Gull is a large bird with a striking appearance. Its body is predominately white, with pale grey wings featuring darker grey, almost slate-colored, tips. It has a robust, yellow beak streaked with a red spot on the lower mandible, and its eyes are a piercing pale yellow encircled by a thin red eye-ring. It has pink-hued legs which prominently stand-out against its muted plumage. There are no significant differences in appearance between males and females.

3. Size
On average, the Slaty-backed Gull measures somewhere between 55 to 67 cm (22 to 26 inches) in length. The bird boasts an impressive wingspan ranging from 132 to 160 cm (52 to 63 inches). The weight typically ranges from 1.05 to 1.7 kg (2.3 to 3.7 lbs).

4. Habitat & Distribution
Slaty-backed Gulls inhabit the northern coasts and islands of the Pacific Ocean, widely spread across Eastern Russia, Japan, and South Korea. They prefer coastal habitats, especially during the breeding season, and can frequently be found on cliffs, islands, and peninsulas. During the non-breeding season, they may venture inland but seldom very far.

5. Interesting Facts
One interesting fact about the Slaty-backed Gull is their aggressive nature. They are known to show dominance over other gull species while feeding. It is also fascinating to know that their red orbital ring becomes more vibrant during the breeding season. Impressively, these gulls are known for their long-distance migration, often traveling thousands of kilometers from their breeding grounds during winter.

6. Diet
Slaty-backed Gulls are omnivorous and opportunistic, with a diet that includes fish, shellfish, invertebrates, carrion, and various plant matter. They are also known to eat the eggs and chicks of other bird species.

7. Behavior & Sounds
Slaty-backed Gulls are known for their aggressive and dominant behavior, frequently displacing other bird species from feeding grounds. They perform swooping dives when fishing, and are expert scavengers. Moreover, their call is a loud, deep ‘kla-ha-ha’, distinctive among the gull family.

8. Conservation Status
The IUCN Red List has categorized the Slaty-backed Gulls as being of ‘Least Concern’ as the population appears stable and does not currently face major threats.

9. Lifespan
While not heavily studied, the lifespan of the Slaty-backed Gull in the wild is believed to be between 10 and 15 years, with some records noting individuals living up to 17 years.

10. Additional Notes
Slaty-backed Gulls are known in Japanese as “Megoisu”, and in Russian as “Сизая чайка”. They play an essential role in their ecosystems as they feed on a variety of organisms helping in population control and scavenging on carrion and waste material, helping in eliminating waste from their habitats. As coastal habitats are constantly visited by humans, interactions between Slaty-backed Gulls and humans are frequent, leading to the bird’s reputation as a nuisance in some areas due to their dominant and aggressive behavior.