Greater Black-Backed Gull
Larus marinus
Physical: L. marinus Is one of the largest gulls, growing up to 30 inches in size. It has a black back and wings, a white body and head, and a yellow bill with a red spot.
Habitat: The Greater Black-backed Gull is located around coastal beaches and estuarine areas along the Atlantic coast. Also due to human interference, they are found in populated areas where there is a chance of food. These are the common gulls of the beaches and parking lots. They winter in the mid-Atllantic south to Florida.
Feeding: These gulls primarily eat small fishes, crabs, shellfishes, small ducks, and even the young of other gulls. These aggressive birds also eat food that humans feed them or discard at beaches and parking lots.
Breeding: L. marinus breeds primarily in isolated areas on the ground. The nests are holes in the ground filled with grass, in which they deposit two to three spotted eggs. The eggs are incubated for four weeks.
