Gulls & Loons

Herring gull (Larus argentatus) (The Gull) length: 61 cm wing-span: 138 cm bill: 5.8 cm
The herring gull is the most common of the Newfoundland gulls. In its juvenile stage it may be confused with the ring-billed gull, but the herring gull is the darker of the two. Adults have blueish-grey and black wing tips. Like most seagulls, it is a scavenger eating just about anything from sea urchins to garbage. Herring gulls share the same breeding colonies as the alcids- often stealing their eggs. Watch as herring gulls scare them so that the alcids drop food they have already gathered. You may see herring gulls feed by picking up sea urchins and crabs at low tide and dropping them on rocks.

Greater black backed gull (Larus marinus) (Saddleback) length: 74 cm wing-span: 160 cm bill: 6.4 cm
The 'Saddleback' is the largest and fiercest gull in Newfoundland. It gets its local name from its black-back, which contrasts sharply with its white underbody, head and tail. The brown juveniles are larger than other similar coloured immature gulls. We have seen them swallow 20 cm long fish while in flight. Its solitary inaccessible nests are seen on cliffs and islands all over the province. The black-back may share breeding colonies with other seabirds where it often steals eggs and young seabirds from the other residents. It is an extremely watchful bird issuing a sharp ki-ki-ki or long keeaaw when alarmed.

Ring-Billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) (Pond Gull) length: 47 cm wing-span: 123 cm bill: 4 cm
The ring-billed gull population is rising on the island. It is smaller than the herring gull, which it resembles in colour, but is easily distinguished by a black ring around its yellow bill. The young ring-billed resemble the immature for all the gull family. The young, mottled brown with dark beaks, take 2 to 4 years to attain adult plumage. They build their nests of grasses and other debris on the ground. Nests are on the seacoast or around fresh water ponds. They are also found at our bird sanctuaries in colonies of 100 to 1000 breeding pairs. The Burin Peninsula is home to large colonies of nesting ring-bills.

Black-Headed Gull (Larus ridibundus) length: 40 cm wing-span: 92.5 cm
The black-headed gull may be a relative newcomer to the island. It is about the size of the black-legged kittiwake, with more pointed and narrow wings. A distinctive coffee brown head with a white eye-ring is the adult summer plumage. Winter birds have white heads with a dark spot behind the eye. The beak and legs are bright red. Leslie Tuck, the first wildlife officer of Newfoundland, recovered the first recorded black-headed gull in Stag Harbour, Labrador. It had been banded in Holland. Not common, they are more likely to be seen in fall and winter, yet many sightings occur in summer. The Harbour Grace and St. John's area offer viewing. Hamilton Sound and Sandy Point Island near Stephenville are known breeding spots on the island.

Common loon (Gavia immer) (Whobble) length: 81 cm wing-span: 137 cm bill: 9 cm
The loon is often seen in marshy ponds. Its black back is spotted white. It has a white neck, throat and belly. The loon's head, neck and bill are black. In flight its neck is outstretched and its feet drag. Swimming loons sit lower in the water than ducks or geese do. This resident bird is extremely wary and when alerted it will dive or sink so only its head and neck are above water. It catches fish in its long straight bill. Often we have seen loons close to the fresh water river mouths in the harbours of the province. Listen for an almost human like wail ha-ha-ha-ha-ha.