Home / Birds /

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.

Identification and Whereabouts

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.

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.

"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.