Yellow-legged Gull

1. Bird Name
The bird in focus is the Yellow-legged Gull, or scientifically known as Larus michahellis.

2. Appearance
The Yellow-legged Gull, as suggested by its name, is known for its bright yellow legs, a stark contrast to its mainly white body and characteristic grey back. It has a large, robust beak which is yellow with a striking red spot. Its eyes are pale to dark with a conspicuous white crescent. It dons a dense, sturdy coating of feathers with smooth and soft textures. In terms of distinguishing between males and females based on their physical traits, it is quite challenging since they are monomorphic, which means both sexes exhibit similar plumage.

3. Size
This substantial bird typically measures 52–68 cm (20–27 inches) in length, with a wingspan stretching from 130–155 cm (51–61 inches). The Yellow-legged Gull weighs around 1–1.6 kg, demonstrating a sizeable presence among the gull species.

4. Habitat & Distribution
The Yellow-legged Gull resides mainly around the coastal parts of southern Europe and northern Africa, also permeating southeast to Iraq and Iran. It prefers coastal habitats, nesting on cliffs, islands, or even buildings. It is also commonly found in towns or garbage dumps closer to the sea.

5. Interesting facts
The Yellow-legged Gull is a highly adaptable, opportunistic feeder, which allows it to thrive in human-modified environments like cities and garbage dumps. In flight, they display a broad, white trailing edge to the wing, which is their characteristic identification feature. They are also known to rob other seabirds of their catch, exhibiting kleptoparasitic behaviour.

6. Diet
The Yellow-legged Gull is omnivorous and feeds on a diverse diet inclusive of fish, marine and terrestrial invertebrates, small mammals, seeds, fruits, carrion, and human waste.

7. Behaviour & Sounds
The Yellow-legged Gull are social birds known for their assertive and sometimes hostile behaviour, especially during the breeding season. Their call is best described as a deep “laughing” sound, differentiating them from other gulls. They have a distinctive flight style – strong and direct with deep, steady wingbeats.

8. Conservation Status
According to the IUCN Red List, the Yellow-legged Gull is categorised as ‘Least Concern’, reflecting its widespread distribution and stable population

9. Lifespan
The typical life expectancy of Yellow-legged Gulls is 10–15 years, though some individuals have been reported to live up to 27 years in the wild.

10. Additional Notes
Locally, the Yellow-legged Gull is also referred to as ‘Seagull’ in many languages. These birds often interact with humans and have adapted well to urban areas, often being considered pests due to their habit of scavenging in populated areas. As scavengers, these gulls play an important role in the ecosystem by keeping their habitats clean. Moreover, their droppings contribute to the nutrient dynamics of coastal ecosystems.