herring gull
herring gull, Most common of the Atlantic gulls in the Northern Hemisphere. The herring gull (Larus argentatus) has a gray mantle, flesh-coloured legs and feet, and black-and-white-spotted wing tips. Herring gulls are primarily scavengers; their populations are generally increasing because of expanding food supplies, chiefly garbage and sewage in or near coastal waters.
This article was most recently revised and updated by John P. Rafferty.
Citation Information
Article Title:
herring gull
Website Name:
Encyclopaedia Britannica
Publisher:
Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Date Published:
20 June 2020
Access Date:
November 14, 2026