The American herring gull (Larus smithsonianus) is a large, powerful seabird commonly found along coastlines, lakes, rivers, and urban areas across North America. Known for its adaptability, intelligence, and distinctive gray-and-white plumage, the American herring gull is one of the most recognizable gull species in the United States and Canada.

Formerly considered the same species as the European herring gull, the American herring gull is now classified as a separate species due to genetic, behavioral, and physical differences.

---

Scientific Classification

Common Name: American Herring Gull

Scientific Name: Larus smithsonianus

Family: Laridae

Order: Charadriiformes

---

Physical Description

The American herring gull is a large gull, measuring approximately 22–26 inches (56–66 cm) in length with a wingspan of 54–60 inches (137–152 cm).

Key Identification Features

Pale gray upper wings and back, white head and underparts, yellow bill with a distinct red spot on the lower mandible, pink legs, black wingtips with white “mirrors”, pale yellow eyes, often with a fierce expression

Juvenile American herring gulls are mottled brown and take four years to reach full adult plumage.

---

Habitat and Range

Geographic Range

The American herring gull is widely distributed across:

The United States, Canada, the coastal regions of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf of Mexico, the Great Lakes, inland waterways, landfills, and urban centers

Preferred Habitats

Coastal beaches and rocky shorelines, harbors and marinas, lakes, rivers, and reservoirs, parking lots, rooftops, and landfills

Their ability to thrive in both natural and human-altered environments makes them one of the most successful gull species in North America.

---

Diet and Feeding Behavior

The American herring gull is an opportunistic omnivore with a highly varied diet.

Common Food Sources

Fish and marine invertebrates, crabs, mollusks, and starfish, snails and earthworms, small birds and eggs, carrion, human food scraps

These gulls are known for dropping hard-shelled prey, such as clams, onto rocks to crack them open and for stealing food from other birds.

---

Behavior and Intelligence

American herring gulls are extremely intelligent and social birds.

Notable Behaviors

Complex vocal communication, tool-like problem solving, food caching, aggressive defense of nesting sites, strong site fidelity, returning to the same breeding areas each year

They are often dominant over smaller gull species and thrive in competitive environments.

---

Breeding and Nesting

Breeding Season

Typically, April through July.

Nesting Habits

Colonies are located on islands, rooftops, cliffs, or marshes. The nests are made from grass, seaweed, feathers, and debris.

Reproduction

Clutches of 2–3 eggs, incubation lasts about 28–30 days, and both parents participate in feeding and protection.

Chicks are semi-precocial, able to walk shortly after hatching but reliant on parents for food.

---

Vocalizations

The American herring gull has a loud and varied vocal repertoire, including the iconic “long call”, sharp alarm calls, and begging calls from juveniles. These calls play a crucial role in territory defense and social communication.

---

Conservation Status

IUCN Status: Least Concern

The American herring gull population is currently stable, though local declines can occur due to Habitat loss, pollution, changes in food availability, and human-wildlife conflict

They are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in the United States.

---

Role in Ecosystem

American herring gulls play an important ecological role by:

Controlling fish and invertebrate populations, scavenging carrion and waste, and acting as indicators of coastal ecosystem health

---

Fun Facts About the American Herring Gull

Can live up to 30 years in the wild, recognize individual humans, and adapt quickly to urban environments, making it one of the most studied gull species in North America