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Distribution
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus
Scarce, but widely spread around the island group. Most common on Bjørnøya, along the west coast of Spitsbergen and on the south-west of Svalbard. Was first found breeding on Svalbard early in the last century, and since then has increased in numbers. The breeding population today is probably more than 150 pairs.  Sometimes forms mixed pairs with Glaucous Gull. 

Features: A large gull of 64-79 cm and 1.3-2.5 kg. ♂=♀, the male is somewhat larger and bulkier. Younger age-groups have different plumages and there is some variation within the age-groups. Typical «big gull call», but deeper and more strident than the Glaucous Gull. At the nest site gives prolonged and loud calls. Vigorous warning and diving at intruders, even when they are far from the nest or young.

​Breeding: Breeds very scattered, often solitarily or in sparse breeding groups of up to five pairs on islands, pillars and rocks along the coast where there are no Arctic Foxes. Very much bound to the same traditional nest sites. Lays two or three eggs in a large nest built of seaweed, grass, moss and feathers.


Recent observations
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  • Home
  • Hjem
  • Bird observations
    • Recent photos
  • Species
    • Regular breeding birds >
      • Brent Goose
      • Barnacle Goose
      • Pink-footed Goose
      • King Eider
      • Common Eider
      • Long-tailed Duck
      • Svalbard Rock Ptarmigan
      • Ringed Plover
      • Ruddy Turnstone
      • Dunlin
      • Purple Sandpiper
      • Grey Phalarope
      • Black-legged Kittiwake
      • Ivory Gull
      • Great Black-backed Gull
      • Glaucous Gull
      • Arctic Tern
      • Great Skua
      • Arctic Skua
      • Little Auk
      • Brünnich's Guillemot
      • Common Guillemot
      • Razorbill
      • Black Guillemot
      • Atlantic Puffin
      • Red-throated Diver
      • Northern Fulmar
      • Snow Bunting
    • Scarce breeding birds >
      • Northern Pintail
      • Common Teal
      • Common Scoter
      • European Golden Plover
      • Red Knot
      • Sanderling
      • Red-necked Phalarope
      • Sabine's Gull
      • Common Gull
      • European Herring Gull
      • Lesser Black-backed Gull
      • Long-tailed Skua
      • Great Northern Diver
      • Northern Gannet
      • Redwing
      • Northern Wheatear
      • Meadow Pipit
      • Lapland Bunting
    • Annual non-breeders >
      • Canada Goose
      • Cackling Goose
      • Snow Goose
      • Greylag Goose
      • Bean Goose
      • Greater White-fronted Goose
      • Whooper Swan
      • Eurasian Wigeon
      • Mallard
      • Tufted Duck
      • Steller's Eider
      • Common Goldeneye
      • Red-breasted Merganser
      • Eurasian Oystercatcher
      • Whimbrel
      • Pectoral Sandpiper
      • Common Snipe
      • Common Redshank
      • Black-headed Gull
      • Ross's Gull
      • Iceland Gull
      • Pomarine Skua
      • Snowy Owl
      • Gyrfalcon
      • Bohemian Waxwing
      • Barn Swallow
      • Song Trush
      • Common Blackbird
      • Fieldfare
      • White Wagtail
      • Common Redpoll
      • Arctic Redpoll
  • About
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  • Fugleobservasjoner
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      • Enkeltbekkasin
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