This is the best known and most widely studied gull, both here in North America and in Europe. In Nova Scotia it is our most common species of gull, so common that in most areas you can find one in minutes. Despite its abundance, most people do not know its name and simply call it a seagull. This word is widely used but is a bit misleading because Herring Gulls are found far inland and are more common along the coast than they are at sea. For this reason most birders call them "gulls".

During winter in Nova Scotia, you can see up to ten species of gull on a good day. All gulls eat a wide variety of food items. They do scavenge and are readily attracted to sewage outlets and garbage dumps. (In Halifax, a popular gull-watching field trip is the "Sewer Stroll"). Herring Gulls will come to open yards to eat chunks of bread or table scraps. Individuals can be faithful visitors. As Halifax closes its open landfills, residents are wondering where the many gulls that used to feed there will go now.

If you can get a good sense size in the field, he Herring Gull can be identified in seconds. It is our only gull that is much bigger than a crow and has light gray wings with black tips. The Ring-billed Gull shares this colour pattern but is smaller, about two-thirds the size. Other gulls you may see in your yard are the Great Black-backed Gull, which is larger and has a dark gray or black back and top of wings, and the Iceland Gull, with no black tips on the wings. These are the most common gull species and the only ones likely to be seen in your backyard. If you go exploring along the coast you can discover others.