Yellow-legged Gull
Larus michahellis (JF Naumann, 1840)
YG
YELGU
5926
Family: Charadriiformes > Laridae
Slightly larger and darker than a Herring Gull, the Yellow-legged Gull has a southerly distribution within Britain & Ireland.
The species was formerly recognized as species by the British Ornithologists' Union in 2005, even though birders had been recording its occurrence for some years. Increasing numbers of records, including a small number of breeding pairs along the south coast, reflect the expansion of breeding populations on the Continent and in North Africa. Our birds are at the very northern edge of their breeding range.
In autumn and winter birds can be seen more widely, often joining other gulls at feeding and loafing sites.
Select a topic for more facts and statistics about the Yellow-legged Gull
Identification
Yellow-legged Gull identification is sometimes difficult.
SONGS AND CALLS
Listen to example recordings of the main vocalisations of Yellow-legged Gull, provided by xeno-canto contributors.
Call
Develop your bird ID skills with our training courses
Our interactive online courses are a great way to develop your bird identification skills, whether you're new to the hobby or a competent birder looking to hone your abilities.
Browse training coursesStatus and Trends
Population size and trends and patterns of distribution based on BTO surveys and atlases with data collected by BTO volunteers.
CONSERVATION STATUS
This species can be found on the following statutory and conservation listings and schedules.
| UK Birds of Conservation Concern | Amber listed |
| Species of European Conservation Concern | Least Concern |
| IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (global) |
Least Concern 
|
| Schedule 1 license required (to disturb) | No |
| Birds Directive Annex 1 | No |
POPULATION SIZE
| UK (breeding) | 2 Pairs (2013–17) |
| UK (winter) | 840 (2011-15) |
| BOU Category | A |
|
First Record
|
Norfolk, 1886 |
POPULATION CHANGE
| UK winter population |
-21% decrease (2010/11 to 2020/21) |
DISTRIBUTION
Yellow-legged Gulls are found throughout the year but there is a distinct peak in numbers between mid July and the end of August, when there is an influx of juvenile birds from Europe. The winter distribution map shows that most records came from central, eastern and southern Britain, where they use a range of inland and coastal sites, such as waterbodies, pig fields and landfill sites. In Ireland they were recorded mainly on the east and south coasts.
-
Britain and Ireland Breeding Distribution 2008-2011.
More from the Atlas Mapstore. -
Britain and Ireland Winter Distribution 2008-2011.
More from the Atlas Mapstore.
Occupied 10-km squares in UK
| No. occupied in breeding season | 6 |
| % occupied in breeding season | 0.2 |
| No. occupied in winter | 425 |
| % occupied in winter | 14 |
European Distribution Map
DISTRIBUTION CHANGE
-
Britain and Ireland Breeding Distribution Change 1968–72 to 2008–11.
More from the Atlas Mapstore. -
Britain and Ireland Winter Distribution Change 1981–84 to 2007–11
More from the Atlas Mapstore.
SEASONALITY
Yellow-legged Gulls can be recorded year-round and small numbers breed. They are particularly evident in late summer when there is a large influx of post-breeding adults and juveniles.
Movement
Information about movement and migration based on online bird portals (e.g. BirdTrack), Ringing schemes and tracking studies.
RINGING RECOVERIES
View a summary of recoveries in the Online Ringing Report.
Foreign locations of birds ringed or recovered in Britain & Ireland
Biology
Lifecycle and body size information about Yellow-legged Gull, including statistics on nesting, eggs and lifespan based on BTO ringing and nest recording data.
PRODUCTIVITY & NESTING
Sample sizes are too small to report Productivity and Nesting statistics for this species.
SURVIVAL & LONGEVITY
View number ringed each year in the Online Ringing Report
|
Maximum Age from Ringing
|
8 years 11 months 17 days (set in 2017)
|
BIOMETRICS
Sample sizes are too small to report Biometrics for this species.
Feather measurements and photos on featherbase
CODES & CLASSIFICATION
|
Field Codes
|
2-letter: YG | 5-letter code: YELGU | Euring: 5926 |
For information in another language (where available) click on a linked name
Welsh: Gwylan Goesfelen
Catalan: gavià de potes grogues
Czech: racek stredomorský
Danish: Middelhavs-sølvmåge
Dutch: Geelpootmeeuw
Estonian: lõuna-hõbekajakas
Finnish: etelänharmaalokki
French: Goéland leucophée
German: Mittelmeermöwe
Hungarian: sárgalábú sirály
Italian: Gabbiano reale
Latvian: Vidusjuras kaija
Lithuanian: geltonkojis kiras
Norwegian: Gulbeinmåke
Polish: mewa romanska
Portuguese: gaivota-de-patas-amarelas
Slovak: cajka žltonohá
Spanish: Gaviota patiamarilla
Swedish: medelhavstrut
Links to more information from ConservationEvidence.com
Would you like to search for another species?
Share this page