© Nuno Oliveira
© Ana Marçalo
Frequent Species

Yellow-legged Gull

Larus michahellis

The yellow-legged gull is a seabird displaying yellow-coloured beak and legs, silvery dorsal side and wings, the latter with black edges and white "pearls". The juveniles up to the 1st year are white and brownish, therefore undistinguishable from juveniles of the Lesser black-backed gull. It is frequently and abundantly seen throughout the year along the Portuguese coast, especially in beaches, harbours and rocky shores. The increasing numbers of individuals from this species may be directly related to the high availability of food, easily obtained from dumping sites and fishing harbours. Its opportunistic diet includes several fish species, pelagic crabs, insects and human generalized food waste, among others.

For further information, please visit Atlas das Aves Marinhas de Portugal.