Herring Gull
(Larus argentatus)

Herring gulls are probably the really big seagulls you see near the shore and around landfills. Their preferred diet is fish and marine invertebrates such as crabs and clams. They are silvery gray above, white below, with a yellow beak that has a red patch on the lower part.Young herring gulls (< 4 yrs) are mottled grey and brown, and have black bills. They are considered a Protected Species because they help keep the water clean of carrion (and our parking lots clean of dropped french fries...) In fact, this summer I was eating at Charlie's, a fried clam place in Brant Rock, MA. There are always gulls there. I "bonded" with one that I named "Gimpy" because it had a limp. It actually just wanted my french fries, I'm sure. Herring Gulls are found in the North Atlantic, the North Pacific, and also inland waters like the Great Lakes.