Glaucous Gull

Fascinating facts about the Glaucous Gull

• A study on Coats Island found male glaucous gulls averaging 1.86 kg and females 1.49 kg, about 15 % heavier than birds from other populations.
• When researchers weighed nine males on Wrangel Island, the average was 2.32 kg and females averaged 2.1 kg, which would make the glaucous gull the heaviest gull and shorebird in the world if accurate.
• Their call is a deep, "laughing" cry similar to that of the herring gull but lower in pitch.

At a glance

About the Glaucous Gull

The glaucous gull (Larus hyperboreus) commands attention with its sheer size, rivaling the great black-backed gull as the world’s second-largest gull. Adults are a uniform pale grey above, their massive yellow bills cutting a stark contrast against the soft plumage, while juveniles sport a similarly pale grey coat but a pink-tinged, black-speckled bill. Measuring 55 to 77 cm in length with wings that can span up to 170 cm, and occasionally reaching a remarkable 182 cm, these birds carry a weight of up to 2.7 kg, especially on the remote colonies of Wrangel Island where males have been recorded at an average of 2.32 kg. Their robust frame, thick bill, and deep, laughing call echo the harsh Arctic coasts where they breed, often nesting singly or in colonies on cliffs and ground-lined sites. The species matures slowly, taking four years to reach breeding age, a testament to its long-lived, high-latitude lifestyle. Beyond the typical fish and carrion, glaucous gulls will opportunistically harvest seeds, berries, and even grains, showcasing an adaptability that belies their seemingly austere Arctic image.

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