Iceland Gull

Identification

The Iceland gull is a medium-sized gull, relatively slender and light in weight compared to its relatives. Adults measure 50 to 64 cm in length with a wingspan of 115 to 150 cm, weighing between 480 and 1,100 grams. It is noticeably smaller and thinner-billed than the glaucous gull, and usually smaller than the herring gull. The nominate subspecies is very pale in all plumage, with adults displaying pale grey upperparts and a yellowish-green bill. Immatures are pale grey overall, with a more extensively dark bill that lacks the pink coloration seen in glaucous gull immatures. The species takes four years to reach full maturity. Its call is a "laughing" cry similar to the herring gull but higher pitched.

Range & Habitat

Despite its misleading name, the Iceland gull does not breed in Iceland but rather in the Arctic regions of Canada and Greenland. During winter, the species is migratory, ranging throughout the North Atlantic as far south as the British Isles and the northernmost eastern United States, with populations also reaching into the interior of North America as far west as the western Great Lakes. The species is considerably scarcer in Europe than the similar glaucous gull. Iceland gulls breed colonially or singly on coasts and cliffs, constructing nests lined with grass, moss, or seaweed on the ground or on cliff faces, typically laying two or three light brown eggs.

Behaviour & Diet

Like most Larus gulls, Iceland gulls are omnivorous and highly adaptable feeders. They consume fish, molluscs, offal, scraps, and eggs, obtaining food through multiple foraging methods. They frequently forage while flying, picking up food at or just below the water's surface, and also feed while walking or swimming. Their opportunistic scavenging habits lead them to congregate at garbage dumps, sewage outlets, and fish-cleaning stations, where food is readily available.

Best Time & Places to See It

Winter months offer the best opportunity to observe Iceland gulls, particularly in northern maritime regions of the Atlantic. The British Isles represent an accessible European location, while in North America, coastal areas from the northeastern United States through the Great Lakes region provide reliable viewing. Observers should look for these birds in harbors, coastal waters, and areas where human food waste is present, as they frequently visit such locations during the non-breeding season.

Photography Tips

The Iceland gull's pale plumage and relatively slender build make it visually distinctive, particularly when photographed alongside larger herring or glaucous gulls for size comparison. Winter settings often provide dramatic lighting conditions over dark Atlantic waters. Patience at coastal feeding sites, particularly near fish-cleaning stations or harbors, may yield close-range opportunities. The subtle pale grey tones of adults and the distinctive dark-billed immatures photograph well in clear, overcast winter light.