Iceland Gull
Larus glaucoides
The Iceland Gull is a rare winter visitor to Britain, typically seen between October and April, with sightings mostly confined to coastal areas and large bodies of water. It can be spotted in the UK, particularly in the northern and eastern regions, although its presence is generally uncommon.
Field Identification Guide
Use these features to identify Iceland Gull in the field.
The Iceland Gull can be identified by its pale grey back and wings, white head and body, and a distinctive black tip to the yellow bill, with a greenish-yellow leg colour being a key distinguishing feature. Its size and shape, as well as the colouration of its primaries, also help to distinguish it from other gull species.
The Iceland Gull is slightly larger than a Lesser Black-backed Gull, but smaller than a Great Black-backed Gull, making it a medium-sized gull species.
The male Iceland Gull has a pale grey back and wings, with a white head and body, and a black tip to the yellow bill, with no significant seasonal variation in its plumage.
The female Iceland Gull is similar to the male, with no notable differences in plumage, making it challenging to distinguish between the sexes based on appearance alone.
The Iceland Gull has a loud, laughing call, often transcribed as a series of high-pitched "kree" or "kee" sounds, which can be heard during its breeding and wintering periods.
Iceland Gulls are opportunistic feeders, scavenging for food in a variety of habitats, including coastal areas, fields, and urban environments, and are known to follow fishing boats and other gulls to feed on scraps.
The Iceland Gull can be confused with the Glaucous Gull, but can be distinguished by its smaller size, more slender bill, and pale grey back and wings, as well as its greenish-yellow leg colour, which is typically pinkish-white in the Glaucous Gull.
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