Species · GBIF taxon 2481174
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Larus fuscusAlso known as Baltic Gull, Dark-backed Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gulls are elegant, medium-large seabirds characterized by their dark charcoal-grey to black wings, bright yellow legs, and a red spot on their lower bill. These highly adaptable opportunists excel at soaring along coastlines, following fishing vessels, and foraging in agricultural fields or urban landfills. During the breeding season, they gather in dense, noisy colonies on coastal cliffs, grassy islands, and increasingly on city rooftops.
MigratoryCoastalAdaptable
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Small Fish
- Marine Invertebrates
- Earthworms
Predators
- Red Fox
- Peregrine Falcon
- Great Black-backed Gull
ThreatsHabitat disturbance, marine pollution, overfishing reducing prey, and culling in some urban areas
HabitatsCoastal cliffs, estuaries, sandy beaches, agricultural fields, lakes, reservoirs, and urban areas
Life span15 to 25 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyLaridae
- SpeciesLarus fuscus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Capable of delivering a painful bite or swoop if defending nests; observe from a respectful distance.
- What to notice
- Look for dark slate-grey wings, yellow legs, and a slender profile compared to other large gulls.
- Support conservation
- Keep a wide distance from nesting colonies between April and July to prevent nest abandonment.
Responsible observation
- Leg Coloration: Look for the bright yellow legs to distinguish adults from the pink-legged Herring Gull.
- Nesting Etiquette: Avoid entering breeding colonies on foot, as adults will aggressively dive-bomb intruders to protect their chicks.
- Feeding Warning: Refrain from offering food, which encourages aggressive begging behavior and unhealthy urban scavenging habits.
Frequent Companion Rhododendrites / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Co-habitant 
Close Relative (c) Mila C., some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Mila C. · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Jörg Hempel, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Jörg Hempel · cc-by-sa
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