Yellow-legged gull fact sheet

seagull azores

Larusmichahellisatlantis | Yellow-legged gull

The yellow-legged gull  is the only seagull that  breeds in the Azores. The subspecies atlantis is an azorean endemic, with a smaller and darker plumage than the Mediterranean subspecies. They nest mostly in the coastal areas, such as cliffs and sandbanks, but also inland alongside rivers and lakes. It is an opportunistic species, feeding on food remains and also stealing food from other species such as terns. They eat fish, crabs, invertebrates, reptiles, small mammals, bird eggs and chicks. The breeding time is between March and May. The nests are situated on rocky and sandy islands and are constructed from vegetation from areas nearby, feathers and leftover carcasses. The distribution of this species can extend to western Europe, Mediterranean countries of the Middle East and North Africa. In the Azores yellow-legged gulls are encountered more frequently in winter. This species is classified as “common breeding” in the Azores.  

Length: 54 – 64 cm

Weight: 750 – 1,250 g

Wingspan: 135 – 152 tg

Population in the Azores: 4,000 pairs

Longevity: 32 years

Diet: Food remains, fish, crabs, invertebrates, reptiles, mammals, eggs

Eggs: 2 – 3

Incubation: 27 – 31 days

In other languages
Portuguese: Gaivota de patas amarelas
Spanish: Gaviota patiamarilla
French: Goéland leucophée
Italian: Gabbiano reale zampegialle
German: Mittelmeermöwe
Dutch: Geelpootmeeuw
Swedish: Medelhavstrut
Norwegian: Gulbeinmåse
Danish: –
Finnish: Etelhänharmaalokki

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