Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis Naumann, 1840

Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Laridae
Species: Larus michahellis Naumann, 1840

Description
These very numerous gulls have a medium grey colored back and the adults have yellow legs and a red orbital ring. The bill is also yellow with a small red mark at the end. Juveniles have streaked grey-brown bodies with dark bills and pink legs.

Distribution
This species is found on all the islands on the Madeira archipelago as well as on the Canary islands and the Azores. It concentrates mainly around areas where there is abundant food, namely, around fish markets and refuse dumps.

Habitat
The Yellow-legged Gull is found in a great variety of habitats, preferring quieter locations such as small islands and coastal cliffs where it spends the night and nests. During the day, these birds are commonly seen in large numbers in areas of human settlement.

Breeding
There are large nesting colonies on the islet of Cevada (São Lourenço tip) and on Chão islet (Desertas islands). These gulls nest in May, with just one clutch of 2 to 3 eggs being laid.

Madeiran name: Gaivota de patas amarelas
Madeira Archipelago resident breeder
Social: Flocks
Length: 55 – 65 cm
Status: Secure