European Herring Gull

Larus argentatus

They demonstrate 'rain-dancing' by drumming their feet on the ground to mimic the vibrations of rain, coaxing earthworms to the surface.

Scientific name: Larus argentatus
Taxonomy: Animalia › Chordata › Aves › Charadriiformes › Laridae › Larus
IUCN Red List status: Least Concern
Population trend: decreasing
Biome: urban
Habitat: Coastal cliffs, rocky shores, estuaries, and increasingly urban environments like rooftops and landfills.
Diet: Opportunistic omnivore: fish, crustaceans, mollusks, insects, smaller birds, and human food waste.
Range: North Atlantic coasts, Western Europe, Scandinavia, British Isles
Size: Wingspan of 130-150 cm; body length of 55-67 cm.
Lifespan: 12-20 years in the wild, though some have lived over 30 years.
Active: diurnal
Threats: Changes in industrial fishing practices, plastic pollution, and loss of natural nesting sites due to coastal development.
Safe to approach?: Generally harmless but can be aggressive if they perceive a threat to their nest or have been habituated to human food. Do not feed them. If bitten, wash the area with soap and water and monitor for infection.

Herring gull is a common name for several birds in the genus Larus and may refer to:

Photo: Stu's Images, CC-BY-SA, via iNaturalist