Black-tailed Gull
Larus crassirostris
黑尾鸥
Introduction
Medium-sized gull (46 cm length, wingspan 126-128 cm) of East Asian coastlines, including urban and remote island environments. Yellow legs and red and black bill spot are distinguishing features. Four-year maturation period to full adult plumage. Cat-like vocalizations are characteristic; Japanese name umineko means 'sea cat.' Black tail is a distinguishing field mark. Occurs as a rare vagrant in North America.
Description
This medium-sized gull measures 46 centimeters in length with a wingspan of 126-128 centimeters. The species has distinctive yellow legs and a bill featuring a red and black spot at the tip. Adults display the characteristic black tail that gives the species its name. Males and females share identical plumage and physical features, though males are notably larger. The species requires four years to achieve full adult plumage, passing through several immature plumages during this period.
Identification
The black tail provides the most reliable field mark for identification, distinguishing this species from other similarly sized gulls in its range. The yellow legs and distinctive red and black bill spot are additional key characteristics. The cat-like call, often described as a 'mew,' is distinctive and helps separate this species from other gull species. Compared to the more widespread slaty-backed gull and other Larus species in the region, the black tail and leg coloration are primary identification features.
Distribution & Habitat
The species is resident along coastlines of the East China Sea, Japan, Manchuria, and the Kuril Islands. In Japan, it is common and nests from Hokkaido to Western Kyushu. Large colonies exist at Kabushima Peninsula in Hachinohe, Fumi-shima in Shimane Prefecture, and Teuri Island in Hokkaido. In Korea, the species is common along shorelines and islands, with over 20,000 birds on Liancourt Rocks. It is a rare vagrant to Alaska, North America, and has been recorded in the Philippines and Vermont.
Behavior & Ecology
This gull feeds primarily on small fish, molluscs, crustaceans, carrion, and scraps. It frequently follows ships and commercial fishing fleets and has been observed stealing food from other seabirds. The species is a colonial nester, with colonies forming in mid-April and 2-3 eggs laid by early June. Incubation lasts approximately 24 days. It exhibits sophisticated vocal communication with more than 10 different sounds, including contact calls, alarm calls, and aggressive calls. The familiar cat-like 'mew call' is frequently used for various social interactions. Young can distinguish parental voices within 10-15 days of hatching.
Conservation
Not available in the article.
Culture
This gull holds significant cultural importance in East Asia. At Kabushima Shrine in Hachinohe, Japan, the species is revered as a messenger of the fishery goddess. Fishermen built the shrine in 1269 and have protected the birds for over 700 years, resulting in a colony of over 40,000 gulls nesting at the site, which is designated a National Natural Monument. The cat-like calls are recognized as one of Japan's 100 Soundscapes in Hachinohe. Around 5,000 birds nest near Izumo Shrine. In Korea, the species was chosen as an official mascot of Liancourt Rocks in 2008. The gulls at Kabushima have become a popular tourist attraction due to their remarkable tameness.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Charadriiformes
- Family
- Laridae
- Genus
- Larus
- eBird Code
- bktgul
Distribution
breeds coasts and islets of eastern Siberia to Kuril Islands (southeastern Russia), Hokkaido and Honshu (northern and central Japan), Korean Peninsula, eastern China, and Matsu Island (off Taiwan); winters to southward, some reaching southern Vietnam and Philippines
Vocalizations
Data Sources
Species description from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Bird images and sounds sourced from GBIF, contributed by citizen scientists worldwide under Creative Commons licenses.
Taxonomy data from AviList 2025.