Characteristics: Their size and shape resemble that of the Herring Gull. However, these have a dark slate-grey back with slightly proportionately longer wings and yellow legs. In Winter, they have a streaky yellow head with yellowish-pink legs. The birds juveniles are difficult to separate from the young herring gulls, but they do tend to be darker. The shade of colour on the back and wings deepens from grey in south of range to black in the Baltic region.

Habitat: The bird breeds on low-lying coasts and islands, usually with higher vegetation than the Herring Gull, also on inland moors and bogs. Outside the breeding season they can be mainly found on the coast, but also regulars on inland lakes. They hunt over open sea but can be found over rubbish tips. Their call is similar to Herring Gulls, but slightly deeper in pitch.

Habits: These birds can be interbred with the Herring Gull. However, it normally behaves as a good species, with differences in habitat, behaviour, leg, beak and back colour.