Herring Gull (Larus argentatus)

The Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) is a large, robust bird commonly found along coastlines and inland waterways. Known for its distinctive red spot on the beak, this gull is often seen mingling with flocks of smaller Ring-billed Gulls, making it a familiar sight for birdwatchers year-round.

🇫🇷	Goéland argenté
🇩🇪	Amerikanische Silbermöwe, Kanadamöwe
🇲🇽	Gaviota argéntea

Taxonomy

Order	Charadriiformes
Family	Laridae

Tips for Identifying This Species

The Herring Gull, while bearing a resemblance to the Ring-billed Gull, can be distinguished by the prominent red spot on its beak. Additionally, its larger size is a notable characteristic, especially when observed in flocks alongside the smaller Ring-billed Gulls.

Notes about Whereabouts

Although less common, the Herring Gull can be observed year-round along riverbanks. A favored location for spotting these birds is Rapids Park Lachine, where they often rest in flocks on elevated areas within the river.

Observations 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

"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.

Characteristics

Length	53-66cm
Weight	600–1650g
Wingspan	120-155cm
Clutch Size	2-4 eggs
Incubation	26-33 days
Fledging	6 weeks
Sexual Maturity	4 years