Little Gull
Hydrocoloeus minutus (Pallas, 1776)
LU
LITGU
5780
Family: Charadriiformes > Laridae
This dainty gull is most often seen during its northward spring migration, when small parties can turn up along the coast or even at inland waters.
A very attractive bird in smart summer dress, the adult Little Gull has a black hood, dusky underwings, small black bill and bright red legs. It sits high in the water, when its white wingtips can be seen. In flight it is light and airy, and dips to the water surface to pick up invertebrate prey.
Some Little Gulls stay in Britain all winter, an increasing trend likely to be caused by the a range expansion in western Europe. Individuals may be seen on sea-watches, particularly after strong winds and winter storms when occasional individuals are blown to inland reservoirs and lakes.
Select a topic for more facts and statistics about the Little Gull
Identification
Little Gull identification is often straightforward. The following article may help when identifying Little Gull.
Identifying small black-headed gulls
A hooded gull in summer is likely to be the ubiquitous Black-headed Gull, but there are a couple of other species that sport the same summer finery. Would you be able to pick out a Little or Mediterranean Gull from the crowd?
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SONGS AND CALLS
Listen to example recordings of the main vocalisations of Little 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 | Green listed |
| Species of European Conservation Concern | Least Concern |
| IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (global) |
Least Concern 
|
| Schedule 1 license required (to disturb) | Yes |
| Birds Directive Annex 1 | No |
|
Listed on the Annexes of
|
WCA(I), Bern(III) |
POPULATION SIZE
| BOU Category | A |
|
First Record
|
Greater London, 1813 |
DISTRIBUTION
Little Gulls winter south to the Mediterranean and the Atlantic Ocean off North Africa, though small numbers remain in the Irish Sea, English Channel and North Sea. Numbers seen in winter around the UK vary annually depending on the weather conditions; during onshore gales they may be reported from nearby coasts and occasionally inland. Little Gulls are a very rare and sporadic breeder in the UK.
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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 | 3 |
| % occupied in breeding season | 0.1 |
| No. occupied in winter | 344 |
| % occupied in winter | 11 |
European Distribution Map
DISTRIBUTION CHANGE
Records of Little Gulls have increased considerably in Britain & Ireland since the 1950s and a 44% winter range expansion is apparent since the 1981–84 Winter Atlas. This is likely to be linked to the westward extension of the species’ breeding range.
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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.
| % change in range in winter (1981–84 to 2007–11) | +51.3% |
SEASONALITY
Little Gulls are recorded throughout the year, with peaks in spring and autumn passage.
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 Little Gull, including statistics on nesting, eggs and lifespan based on BTO ringing and nest recording data.
PRODUCTIVITY & NESTING
|
Number of Broods
|
1 |
|
Egg Size
|
42×30 mm Weight = 19.7 g (of which 5% is shell) |
SURVIVAL & LONGEVITY
View number ringed each year in the Online Ringing Report
|
Maximum Age from Ringing
|
10 years 11 months 12 days (set in 1991)
|
CODES & CLASSIFICATION
|
Ring size
|
C2 |
|
Field Codes
|
2-letter: LU | 5-letter code: LITGU | Euring: 5780 |
For information in another language (where available) click on a linked name
Links to more studies from ConservationEvidence.com
- Re-establishment of Atlantic puffins (Fratercula arctica) at a former breeding site in the Gulf of Maine
- Invasive alien species as a threat to seabird populations: an account of habitat restoration on 'Ilhéu da Praia' (Graciosa, Azores) Special Protection Area
- An experimental study of nest site selection in common terns
Read more studies about Little Gull on Conservation Evidence >
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