Brief Summary
provided by EOL authors
Gulls (Order Charadriiformes, Family Laridae) are medium- to large-sized sea birds with long pointed wings, a stout, slightly hooked bill, and webbed feet. They are abundant in temperate coastal areas around the world. Although gulls may feed from garbage dumps and landfills, most take natural prey. Gulls nest primarily in colonies, although some of the larger species also nest solitarily. Many populations migrate annually between breeding and wintering areas. North American gull species range in size from Bonaparte's gull (33 cm bill tip to tail tip) to the great black-backed gull (76 cm).
