Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus)
The Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) is the largest gull species found in Montreal, known for its imposing size and striking appearance. Often seen alone at local parks, this majestic bird is easily identifiable by its dark grey back and distinctive red spot on its yellow beak.
| 🇫🇷 | Goéland marin |
| 🇩🇪 | Mantelmöwe |
| 🇲🇽 | Gavión atlántico |
| Taxonomy | |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae |
How to Identify
The Great Black-backed Gull is distinguished by its dark grey back and the prominent red spot on its yellow beak. It is notably larger than the more common Ring-billed Gull, which features a light grey back and a distinctive black ring around its beak.
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Characteristics
| Length | 64–79cm |
| Weight | 0.75–2.3kg |
| Wingspan | 150–170cm |
| Clutch Size | 2-3 eggs |
| Incubation | 30-32 days |
| Fledging | 7-8 weeks |
| Sexual Maturity | 4-5 years |
Resources
Where and When to Spot
The Great Black-backed Gull can be observed throughout the year, with the exception of winter. It is often found perched on rocks surrounded by water. Notably, this species is rarely seen mingling with flocks of other gulls.
Observation Records by Park and Season
| Location | Spring | Summer | Autumn | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parc Angrignon | x | - | - | - |
| Parc National du Bic | x | - | - | - |
| Parc de la Frayère | x | - | - | - |
| Parc des Rapides | - | - | - | x |
| Saguenay St. Lawrence Marine Park | - | x | - | - |
"x" indicates the species was observed, while "-" indicates no observation. Lack of observation doesn't necessarily imply that the species is absent. Data is derived from our park visit journals.