Head to head
Lesser Black-backed Gull vs Great Black-backed Gull
The lesser black-backed gull and great black-backed gull share dark backs and a name, but the size difference between them is dramatic.
| Lesser Black-backed Gull | Great Black-backed Gull | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Larus fuscus | Larus marinus |
| Relative size | Large | Largest gull in the world |
| Back colour | Dark grey to blackish | Jet black |
| Leg colour | Yellow | Pink |
| Predatory behaviour | Opportunistic scavenger | Actively kills other seabirds |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Population trend | Increasing | Stable |
| Habitat | Coastal, grassland | Coastal |
Lesser Black-backed Gull vs Great Black-backed Gull: common questions
Which is bigger, the lesser black-backed 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 lesser black-backed gull is a large gull in its own right but noticeably smaller and less powerfully built.
How can you tell the two black-backed gulls apart?
Leg colour is a reliable clue: the lesser black-backed gull has yellow legs, while the great black-backed gull has pink legs, alongside the great black-backed gull's much larger size and even darker, jet-black back.
Does the great black-backed gull actually hunt other gulls?
Yes, the great black-backed gull is a genuine predator capable of killing and eating other seabirds, rabbits, and ducklings, a level of active predation well beyond the more opportunistic scavenging typical of the lesser black-backed gull.