Larus glaucoides
The Iceland Gull, *Larus glaucoides*, is a captivating medium-sized gull, renowned for its strikingly pale plumage and high-Arctic breeding grounds. Adults typically measure 50-64 cm in length, boast a wingspan of 120-150 cm, and weigh between 800-1500 g. Distinguishing features include pearly-grey upperparts, pristine white underparts, pale yellow eyes, and a relatively small, yellow bill often tipped with black and a reddish spot. Crucially, its wingtips lack any black, appearing wholly whi...
Iceland Gulls primarily inhabit high-Arctic coastal regions, including rocky cliffs, islands, and tundra during the breeding season, moving to coastal areas, harbors, and large freshwater bodies during winter. They are typically found at low elevations.
The diet of Iceland Gulls is highly opportunistic and varied, primarily consisting of fish, marine invertebrates (crustaceans, mollusks), carrion, offal, eggs, and chicks. They forage primarily by scavenging along coastlines, surface-feeding on the water, and occasionally making shallow dives.
Iceland Gulls are primarily diurnal, actively foraging throughout the day and congregating in large, often noisy, roosts on sheltered coasts, ice floes, or offshore islands at night. Their foraging strategies are highly opportunistic and diverse, encompassing surface-feeding on marine invertebrat...
The Iceland Gull breeds primarily in the high Arctic, with significant populations found across Greenland, the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, and occasionally on Svalbard and Jan Mayen. During the harsh Arctic winter, these gulls undertake substantial migrations, dispersing southwards across the No...
Least Concern
- The Iceland Gull is one of the "white-winged gulls," a group distinguished by their complete lack of black markings on the wingtips, a key identifier. - Its scientific name, *Larus glaucoides*, literally translates to "glaucous-like gull," referring to its resemblance to the larger Glaucous Gul...