Wildlife Damage Management, Internet Center for
Date of this Version
January 1994
Abstract
The term gull refers to members of a group of 23 North American bird species that belong to the family Laridae, subfamily Larinae. The herring (Larus argentatus) and ringbilled (L. delawarensis) gulls are the most common and widespread of the species. Most gulls nest in colonies on sand and gravel-covered shorelines and islands. Gulls feed on land or water on aquatic animals, terrestrial invertebrates and small vertebrates, plant remains, carrion, and refuse. Increasing gull populations in North America during the past century have led to a variety of problems for different segments of society.