Head to head
Herring Gull vs Great Black-backed Gull
The herring gull and great black-backed gull often share the same stretches of coastline, but one is a generalist opportunist while the other is a genuine predator of other seabirds.
| Herring Gull | Great Black-backed Gull | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Larus argentatus | Larus marinus |
| Relative size | Large | Largest gull in the world |
| Back colour | Pale grey | Jet black |
| Predatory behaviour | Opportunistic scavenger | Actively kills other seabirds |
| Bill | Yellow with a red spot | Heavy, powerful, pale |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Population trend | Decreasing | Stable |
| Habitat | Coastal, grassland | Coastal |
Herring Gull vs Great Black-backed Gull: common questions
Which is bigger, the herring gull or the great black-backed gull?
The great black-backed gull is considerably bigger, holding the title of largest gull in the world, while the herring gull is also a large gull but noticeably smaller and less heavily built than its black-backed relative.
Does the great black-backed gull really kill other birds?
Yes, this species is a genuine predator capable of killing and eating other seabirds, rabbits, and ducklings, a level of active predation that goes well beyond the more opportunistic scavenging typical of the herring gull.
How can you tell a herring gull from a great black-backed gull?
The easiest way is the back colour: the herring gull has a pale grey back, while the great black-backed gull has a jet-black back, a difference visible at a considerable distance even before size is taken into account.