Good evening, everyone! When strolling along the coast, you often catch sight of white birds soaring through the sky. Among these, seagulls and black-tailed gulls particularly stand out, but due to their similar appearances, distinguishing between the two is certainly worth your while. Today, let’s delve a little deeper into the differences between these two birds.
A significant visual difference is that the Common gull has a beak that is solid yellow, while the Black-tailed gull has a yellow beak with a distinctive black band and a red spot at the tip. The Common gull has a lighter grey on its back compared to the Black-tailed gull. Additionally, the Black-tailed gull has a red eye-ring, giving it a particularly sharp expression. Both are slightly smaller in size than the Carrion Crow, with the Black-tailed gull being slightly larger than the Common gull.
（Source of Materials：User Thermos on fi.wikipedia – Originally from fi.wikipedia; description page is (was) here &
photoAC）
Firstly, seagulls are a quintessential example of migratory birds. They fly to Japan from distant places such as Alaska, the northern part of the Eurasian continent, and western Canada to avoid the winter. Hence, in Japan, they are mainly seen from autumn to winter. Seagulls are omnivorous and are said to clean the sea, earning them the nickname “the janitors of the sea.”
On the other hand, black-tailed gulls are “resident birds” that inhabit Japan throughout the year. You can enjoy their presence during all four seasons in Japan. During the breeding season, they breed in colonies on specific islands, and are cherished by fishermen as birds that “guide them to fishing grounds.” Black-tailed gulls serve as a bridge between fishermen and the sea.
Their calls also provide a significant clue. Seagulls make a high-pitched “koo, koo” sound, while black-tailed gulls have a cat-like low, thick “meow” or “aow” sound.
Just remembering these points can make it much easier to distinguish between seagulls and black-tailed gulls. When you spot these beautiful birds at the seaside, be sure to use these tips. See you next time!
