Lesser Black-backed Gull

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) is in the Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers family (Laridae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 9,925 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in January.

Seasonal pattern in the national data: seasonal. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.

When to photograph Lesser Black-backed Gull: observations by month (U.S.)

About Lesser Black-backed Gull

The lesser black-backed gull (Larus fuscus) is a large gull that breeds on the Atlantic coasts of Europe. It is migratory, wintering from the British Isles south to West Africa. It is a regular winter visitor to the east coast of North America, probably from the breeding population in Iceland.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.

Lesser Black-backed Gull by state

Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.

Related birds (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)

Ring-billed GullLarus delawarensis

Laughing GullLeucophaeus atricilla

Western GullLarus occidentalis

American Herring GullLarus smithsonianus

Royal TernThalasseus maximus

Forster's TernSterna forsteri

California GullLarus californicus

Caspian TernHydroprogne caspia

Photography tips

• Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
• Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
• Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
• Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.

FAQ