Fauna Flora Photography

Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus

Largest of the gulls seen around Montreal. Shows up usually as single bird at parks.

Specs

Length63-72cm
Weight1.5-2.5kg
Wingspan152-170cm

Common Names

GermanMantelmöwe
EnglishGreat Black-backed Gull
FrenchGoéland marin
SpanishGavión atlántico

Taxonomy

OrderCharadriiformes
FamilyLaridae
SpeciesLarus marinus

How to Identify

Identifiable by the dark grey back and red point on the yellow beak. Larger than the more common Ring-billed gull which as a light grey back and black ring around the beak.

Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) - Parc des Rapides - 2016-10-15

Where and When to Spot

I see this bird all year around except winter. Usually sitting on a rock surrounded by water. I haven't seen this species within flocks of other gulls.

SpringSummerFallWinter
Parc Angrignon x - - -
Parc de la Frayère x - - -
Parc des Rapides - - - x
Saguenay St. Lawrence Marine Park - x - -

Where and when a species has been observed, identified, and recorded.


Last updated on 2023-12-15. Written and regularly updated by Karl-Heinz Müller, Dipl. Natw. ETH, Biology. With 10 years of experience in wildlife photography, Karl-Heinz shares first-hand, on-site collected observations, photos and videos from his frequent visits to parks in the Montreal area.