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Great Black-backed Gull

Status Common resident. In summer it is common to abundant near its breeding grounds and widely found along the coast. In winter it is less common except around cities, towns and garbage disposal areas, where it scavenges, often in large numbers, with Herring Gulls, crows and ravens, all clamouring for food during these lean months when competition is keen. It is found in greater numbers well offshore at all seasons. One of the largest colonies of this species in North America is located at Lake George, a few kilometres from Yarmouth.

Description Length: 71-79 cm. All plumages: Legs and feet flesh-coloured. Adults: Back and upper surface of wings dark (almost black) slate; flight feathers tipped with white; rest of plumage white; bill yellow with red spot on lower mandible. Immatures: Mottled with dusky browns and grays, varying in density and pattern according to age.

Breeding Nest: On the ground, usually on an island and in colonies. Single nests remote from others are sometimes placed in the crevices of large granite boulders protruding from lakes far in the interior of the province. I have no record of this species nesting in trees. The nests are composed of various quantities of coarse, decaying vegetable matter. Some nests are neatly and solidly constructed; others are crude affairs with little if any material being used. Eggs: 2-3, usually 3; light brown or buff, spotted evenly with dark brown or black. An egg without spots or blotches is sometimes laid, the ground colour being shades of light ashy blue or greenish olive. Such an egg may be one of three, the other two being normal; sometimes all three eggs are unspotted. Laying begins in the first part of May. Of nine sets of eggs examined on 20 May 1928, seven were fresh and the other two were slightly incubated.

Range Breeds from Greenland east to northern USSR and from Labrador south to North Carolina, with a small population in the Great Lakes.

Remarks The Great Black-backed Gull is the largest gull in the world. It can be distinguished from the more common Herring Gull when both are seen in subadult plumages by its size and its paler head and neck. After about four years it wears its adult mantle of sombre, non-lustrous black, which contrasts sharply with its glistening white plumage. These colours explain why in many localities it is known as the "coffin-carrier" or "minister bird."

Except around its nesting colonies where it will circle low overhead, this gull is extremely wary. I vividly recall an incident on the Grand Pre meadows I was sitting on the edge of a drainage ditch, well concealed by a thick clump of rose bushes and wearing the prescribed duck-hunter's coat and cap. Scanning the horizon for ducks, I noted a Great Black-backed Gull winging its way across the dykelands and coming head on. Having been told the visual powers of gulls are far superior to those of ducks, I remained motionless in my well-camouflaged hideout, eyeing the on-coming gull, in an attempt to test the proposition. When it reached a point about 100 metres from me, I was amazed to see it suddenly flare up, pause momentarily, flapping its wings in reverse, and quickly change course to pass me, well out of the range of my gun. Wild ducks and Canada Geese would have come into the decoys without hesitation.