The slaty-backed gull is a large, white-headed gull that breeds on the north-eastern coast of the Palearctic, but travels widely during nonbreeding seasons. It is similar in appearance to the western gull and the glaucous-winged gull. Another alternate name is Pacific gull, though it also applies to a Southern Hemisphere species, L. pacificus.
Region
North Pacific Rim
Typical Environment
Breeds on coastal cliffs and offshore islands from the Sea of Okhotsk and Kamchatka through the Kuril Islands and into northern Japan. In the nonbreeding season it disperses south along coasts of Japan, Korea, and eastern China, frequenting bays, harbors, and river mouths. Regular vagrants occur around the Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska, with rarer records along the Pacific Northwest to California and sporadically inland. It favors marine shorelines but readily uses human-altered habitats such as ports and landfills.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 500 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A large, white-headed gull with a dark slate-gray mantle, the slaty-backed gull breeds around the North Pacific and wanders widely in winter. It is often confused with western and glaucous-winged gulls but shows a distinctive 'string of pearls'—small white spots along the outer primaries in flight—and pink legs. Vagrants regularly reach Alaska and occasionally the Pacific Coast of North America as far south as California. The alternate name 'Pacific gull' is also used for the Australian species Larus pacificus, so care is needed with common names.
Slaty-backed gull showing distinctive "string of pearls" wing pattern on the tongue tips of the mid-primaries.
Temperament
bold and opportunistic
Flight Pattern
strong flier with steady wingbeats and frequent soaring over coasts
Social Behavior
Nests colonially on rocky islands and coastal headlands, often in mixed gull colonies. Pairs are generally monogamous within a season and defend a small territory around the nest. Typical clutches are 2–3 eggs in a grass-lined scrape.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Loud, raucous cackles and yelps typical of large gulls, including a long-call delivered during displays. Also gives harsh 'klee-ah' and short barks in aggressive or alarm contexts.
