Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus)
Largest of the gulls seen around Montreal. Shows up usually as single bird at parks.
- 🇫🇷 Goéland marin
- 🇩🇪 Mantelmöwe
- 🇲🇽 Gavión atlántico
Characteristics
- Length: 63-72cm
- Weight: 1.5-2.5kg
- Wingspan: 152-170cm
How to Identify
Identifiable by the dark grey back and red point on the yellow beak. Larger than the more common Ring-billed gull which as a light grey back and black ring around the beak.
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Where and When to Spot
I see this bird all year around except winter. Usually sitting on a rock surrounded by water. I haven't seen this species within flocks of other gulls.
Observations by Park and Season
| Location | Spring | Summer | Autumn | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parc Angrignon | x | - | - | - |
| Parc de la Frayère | x | - | - | - |
| Parc des Rapides, Lachine | - | - | - | x |
| Saguenay St. Lawrence Marine Park | - | x | - | - |
"-" indicates no observation. It may not necessarily mean though that the species is absent from the park during that season.