Little Gull

Identification

The little gull is the smallest gull species in the world, with a body length of 24 to 28 cm and a wingspan of 62 to 69 cm. Adults in breeding plumage are distinctive, featuring a black hood, dark red bill, and bright red legs, sometimes with a rosy flush to the underparts. In non-breeding plumage, they display a black cap and ear spot, white underparts, a black bill, and duller red legs. All adults share a pale grey back and upperwings with white primaries that contrast strikingly with very dark grey underwings. Juveniles are readily identified by large blackish areas on the back and head, and a characteristic dark "w" pattern on the upperwings when in flight, paired with white underwings. First-winter birds resemble adults but retain the dark upperwing pattern, while second-year birds are nearly adult-like but retain some black primary feathers.

Range & Habitat

The little gull has a wide Palearctic distribution, breeding from northern Scandinavia and the eastern Baltic Sea to eastern Siberia, with small colonies also established around the Great Lakes in North America. This migratory species winters along European coasts as far south as the Mediterranean, Black, and Caspian Seas, and in North America along the Atlantic coast to the Carolinas. They are uncommon in the western Pacific.

For breeding, little gulls favour areas of dense vegetation with emergent plants or floating leaves in shallow freshwater bodies, slow-moving rivers, marshes, and bogs, occasionally using coastal lagoons or brackish water habitats. During migration and winter, they are primarily coastal, inhabiting areas with sand and mud substrates, river mouths, and open seas, and may be attracted to sewage outfalls.

Behaviour & Diet

The little gull is a highly migratory species, typically arriving at breeding areas from late April through late May and departing from mid-July onwards. Egg-laying begins in mid-June. These gulls commonly nest among other gull and tern species in mixed colonies, though some pairs nest singly. Nests are situated on the ground or floating on water, anchored to emergent vegetation, with colonies spaced 1 to 1.5 m apart.

Outside the breeding season, little gulls are sociable, feeding and roosting in flocks that can be very large—sometimes numbering thousands—when bad weather concentrates them in sheltered waters. Breeding birds are insectivores, catching a variety of insects on the wing close to the water surface. In winter, their diet shifts to small fish and marine invertebrates.

Best Time & Places to See It

The best time to observe little gulls is during migration periods in spring (late April to late May) and autumn (from mid-July onwards), when birds move between breeding and wintering grounds. Coastal locations across Europe, particularly along the Mediterranean, Black, and Caspian Seas, are reliable in winter. In North America, Atlantic coastal areas are the best bet, especially during winter months. Breeding birds can be found at freshwater lakes, marshes, and bogs across northern Scandinavia and Siberia during the breeding season.

Photography Tips

The little gull's small size and rapid, buoyant flight present a challenge for photographers. Focus on coastal areas during migration and winter when birds congregate in larger, more approachable flocks. The striking contrast between the pale upperwings and very dark grey underwings makes this species distinctive in flight—position yourself to capture both views when possible. During breeding season, the black hood and bright red legs and bill of adults are highly photogenic. Early morning light often reveals the subtle rosy flush on breeding birds' underparts. Be patient, as these sociable birds may return to the same feeding and roosting sites, allowing multiple photographic opportunities.