Glaucous gull
Fellow travelers observed these birds on the way to Frantz Josef Land. They circled in the air, and then with loud noises they landed on the sea, as if covering it with a huge white veil, then gathered at the side of the ship, sailing curiously just to the foaming jets coming from the gateways. The Glaucous Gull is a large and powerful gull. Therefore, it can take away food from smaller birds like larus or common tern, steal chicks or peck eggs in a foreign nest. One of its Russian names is Burgomaster, “the master of the city” in German. When it is sitting, wings folded behind itstail and staring intensely into the distance, it seems that it overlooks its property and strictly keeps everything under control. Maybe that is why they call it Burgomaster. Although there is another version saying that the grey plumage of the top of the wings is associated with the mantle worn once by European mayors.
- It is of Larus genus
- It is one of the largest gull species, its length being up to 70 cm
- Its wingspanis 180 cm
- Adults are pale grey above, with red paws and a thick yellow bill
- There is a bright red spot the mandible of this bird which serves as a “beacon” for chicks
- Immatures are very pale grey with a pink and black bill
- It is larger than Herring gull and has white endings of the wings
- They feed on fish, insects, molluscs, small birds eggs, carrion as well berries
- It breeds in the Arctic regions of the northern hemisphere, and on Arctic islands
- In winter it migrates to the South
- It breeds on cliffs, has at average 3 eggs, emerging in the middle of July
Class
Birds
Family
Laridae
Latin name
Larus hyperboreus