Gulls come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from the large Western Gull to the diminutive Little Gull. The smallest gulls are often referred to as “small gulls” or “little gulls”, but there are some more specific names used to describe certain species.
Common Names for Small Gulls
Some of the most common names used for small gull species include:
- Least Tern
- Little Gull
- Black-headed Gull
- Laughing Gull
- Franklin’s Gull
- Bonaparte’s Gull
Let’s take a closer look at each of these small gull species:
Least Tern
The Least Tern is the smallest tern in North America. It measures only about 9 inches in length and has a wingspan of 20 inches. This tiny seabird nests on beaches and feeds on small fish and insects. It has a black cap on its head and a forked tail.
Little Gull
As its name suggests, the Little Gull is a very small gull species. Adults measure just over 9 inches in length with a wingspan around 25 inches. They are most common in Europe and Asia and are rare visitors to North America. Little Gulls have a black head in breeding plumage and feed on insects, small fish, and worms.
Black-headed Gull
The Black-headed Gull is a small gull that breeds across Eurasia. Adults are around 13-14 inches long with a 37-39 inch wingspan. True to their name, Black-headed Gulls have a chocolate brown head during the breeding season. They feed on insects, fish, worms, and other small prey.
Laughing Gull
The Laughing Gull is a small-medium gull of North and South America. It measures 14 inches long with a 42 inch wingspan. Laughing Gulls get their name from their loud, laughing call. They have a black head and feed on fish, insects, crabs and other small invertebrates.
Franklin’s Gull
Franklin’s Gull is a migratory species that breeds in central North America. It is relatively small for a gull, with a length of about 13 inches and wingspan around 32 inches. Franklin’s Gulls have a distinctive black and white wing pattern. They feed primarily on insects and will follow plows to pick up stirred-up prey.
Bonaparte’s Gull
Bonaparte’s Gull is a small gull with a length of 12-13 inches and wingspan of 32-35 inches. Breeding adults have a distinctive black hood and white underside. This gull species feeds on fish, insects, mollusks and other small invertebrates. It winters along the North American coasts and as far south as South America.
Identifying Features of Small Gulls
While the specific species have their own identifying features, there are some general characteristics shared by many small gulls:
- Compact size, usually less than 15 inches in length
- Slender bill that is shorter and thinner than larger gulls
- Long, pointed wings and a short tail
- Black or dark hood coloring on the head (in breeding season)
- Buoyant flight with rapid wing beats
- High-pitched, squeaking calls
- Primarily feed on insects, small fish, worms, etc.
- Nest on beaches, marshes, and tundra habitats
Paying attention to size, beak shape, wing shape, calls, feeding behavior and preferred habitat can help identify whether an unknown gull is part of the “small gull” group.
Where Do Small Gulls Live?
The habitat range of small gulls depends on the specific species. Here is an overview of where some of the common small gull species can be found:
Species | Breeding Habitat | Wintering Habitat |
---|---|---|
Least Tern | Beaches in North America | Coastal areas of Central and South America |
Little Gull | Wetlands in Eurasia | Coastal areas from Europe to Africa |
Black-headed Gull | Coastal wetlands in Eurasia | Coasts and inland across Europe and Asia |
Laughing Gull | Coastal marshes in North America | Coasts from USA to northern South America |
Franklin’s Gull | Prairie wetlands in North America | Coasts of South America |
Bonaparte’s Gull | Marshy tundra areas in North America | Coastal areas from southern Canada to South America |
As shown, small gulls generally nest in coastal or wetland habitats in the northern regions of North America, Europe, and Asia. During winter, most species migrate south to warmer coastal areas.
Unique Adaptations of Small Gulls
Small gulls have evolved some unique adaptations that allow them to thrive in their habitats:
- Aerial Maneuverability – Their small size and long wings give them great agility in flight to capture flying insects or pluck fish from the water’s surface.
- Salt Glands – Special glands allow them to drink saltwater and excrete excess salt, useful for marine species.
- Webbed Feet – Webbed toes on their feet help propel small gulls through the water when swimming and searching for food.
- Opportunistic Feeders – Small gulls have broad diets, allowing them to take advantage of seasonal foods like insect swarms or fish spawning periods.
- Migratory Ability – They migrate long distances to take advantage of productive feeding grounds during breeding season and warmer climates during winter.
These adaptations suit small gulls perfectly for their pelagic lifestyles, allowing them to nimbly catch food in marine environments and migrate between seasonal habitats.
Interesting Behaviors of Small Gulls
Some intriguing behaviors seen in small gulls include:
- Kleptoparasitism – Stealing food from other birds is common, such as intercepting other gulls in flight that are carrying food.
- Communal Roosting – Large flocks will form at night to roost on the water for safety from predators.
- Synchronized Flight – Flocks will fly in synchronized patterns with sudden changes in direction to confuse and evade predators.
- Creching – Parents will leave chicks in communal groups called creches, tended by a few adults while others are away feeding.
- Waders – Small gulls like terns plunge dive into water like wading birds to catch fish near the surface.
These types of behaviors help small gulls adapt and find safety in numbers during the vulnerable chick rearing stage. Their athleticism makes for fascinating viewing.
Threats Facing Small Gulls
Though widespread and adaptable, some threats to small gull populations include:
- Habitat Loss – Coastal development, pollution, and human disturbance of nesting beaches reduces breeding habitat.
- Predation – Animals like foxes, raccoons, and raptors prey heavily on eggs and chicks.
- Extreme Weather – Storms and hurricanes can wipe out breeding colonies and chicks.
- Climate Change – Rising sea levels and increased storms impact coastal nesting areas.
- Fisheries Interactions – Accidental bycatch in fishing gear causes high mortality.
Conservation measures like protecting coastal habitats, managing human disturbance, and reducing bycatch help support healthy small gull populations into the future.
Conclusion
Small gulls comprise a diverse group of agile, adaptable species. Least terns, Little Gulls, Black-headed Gulls, Laughing Gulls, Franklin’s Gulls, and Bonaparte’s Gulls are among the most widespread and familiar small gull species. They share common traits like compact size, buoyant flight, broad diets and migratory habits that allow them to thrive in coastal and inland wetland habitats. Though still common, small gulls face growing threats from human impacts and climate change. Protecting their sensitive nesting and feeding areas will be key to their future survival.