Herring gull is a common name for several birds in the genus ''
Larus
''Larus'' is a large genus of gulls with worldwide distribution (by far the greatest species diversity is in the Northern Hemisphere).
Many of its species are abundant and well-known birds in their ranges. Until about 2005–2007, most gulls ...
'', all formerly treated as a single species.
Three species are still combined in some taxonomies:
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American herring gull (''Larus smithsonianus'') - North America
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European herring gull
The European herring gull (''Larus argentatus'') is a large gull, up to long. It breeds throughout the northern and western coasts of Europe. Some European herring gulls, especially those resident in colder areas, bird migration, migrate furthe ...
(''Larus argentatus'') - Northern Europe
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Vega gull (''Larus vegae'') - East Asia
Additional species formerly included within this species include:
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Armenian gull (''Larus armenicus'') - Caucasus and Middle East
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Caspian gull (''Larus cachinnans'') - Eastern Europe and Central Asia
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Yellow-legged gull (''Larus michahellis'') - Southern Europe, North Africa and Middle East
Larus
Bird common names
{{Animal common name