Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) Family Laridae Lenth 30" Wingspan 65" Weight 3.6 pounts (1,650 grams)

Photo courtesy of Vicky Martin, Grates Cove

One of the largest gulls, also known as the "saddle back". An aggressive, predatory bird, it will hunt other small birds like puffins, or maraud the nests of other birds on Baccalieu Island.

It flies with slow wingbeats. It has a yellow eye, and pale pink legs. It is the legs which most easily distinguishes this bird from its relative, the Lesser Black-backed Gull, whose legs are yellow. The Black-back is also similar in appearance to the Herring Gull, who also has pink legs, but that bird's back is gray rather than black in colour. Note the yellow bill with the orange spot on the bottom, and the red ring around its eye.