Lesser black-backed gull

Lesser black-backed gull
Larus fuscus graellsii
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Charadriiformes
Family:	Laridae
Genus:	Larus
Species:	L. fuscus
Binomial name
Larus fuscus Linnaeus, 1758

The lesser black-backed gull (Larus fuscus) is a large gull that breeds on the Atlantic coasts of Europe. It is migratory, wintering from the British Isles south to West Africa. However, it has increased dramatically in North America, especially along the east coast. Formerly just a winter visitor to North America, it has increased and occurs in large numbers some winters and birds are now recorded year-round.^[2] However, there is serious concern about decline in many parts of its range. The species is on the UK Amber List^[3] because the UK is home to 40 per cent of the European population and more than half of these are found at fewer than ten breeding sites.^[3]