What kind of gull is the mew gull?

The mew gull is a medium-sized gull belonging to the family Laridae and the genus Larus. They have a white head in their summer plumage, and in their winter plumage, they develop grayish-brown spots on their heads. Their bill is yellow with a red spot on the tip, and their legs are yellow. They are known for their cat-like call, known as the 'mew call,' which is how they got their English name, 'Mew Gull.' In Japan, they can be seen as winter visitors on coasts, rivers, and lakes throughout the country. They are often seen in flocks with other gulls, especially larger gulls like the herring gull and the great black-backed gull, but they can also be seen alone.

What do mew gulls eat?

Mew gulls are omnivores and eat a variety of foods, including fish, crustaceans, insects, earthworms, and seeds and fruits from plants. They forage for food on coasts, rivers, and lakes. They catch fish and crustaceans while swimming on the surface of the water, or by diving down from the air. They also walk on the ground, searching for insects and earthworms, or scavenging for scraps of food from humans in fields and garbage dumps.

Where do they raise their young?

Mew gulls breed in the tundra of the Arctic. They build their nests on the ground, creating a shallow depression, and lay 2 to 3 eggs. The eggs hatch in about 3 weeks, and the chicks fledge after about a month. Both parents participate in raising their young.

[Quiz!] Why do mew gulls migrate to Japan in the winter?

Mew gulls migrate south to warmer regions, including Japan, in the winter because their breeding grounds in the Arctic tundra freeze over. They spend the winter in Japan, foraging for food on coasts, rivers, and lakes. Then, in the spring, they return to the Arctic to breed.

[Quiz!] Do mew gulls get along with other gulls?

Mew gulls are often seen in flocks with other gulls, especially larger gulls like herring gulls and great black-backed gulls. This is because larger gulls are better at catching food, and mew gulls try to steal the food they catch. Being around larger gulls also provides protection from predators. However, there are times when mew gulls are chased away or attacked by larger gulls.

[Quiz!] Are mew gulls endangered?

The mew gull is listed as 'Near Threatened' on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List. This means that they are likely to become endangered in the near future. The main reasons for their decline are: ・Pollution: Marine and water pollution are reducing their food sources, such as fish and crustaceans. ・Bycatch: They can get caught accidentally in fishing nets. Reducing pollution and bycatch from fishing are crucial to protect mew gulls.

Animal Article

Mew Gull

The mew gull, a medium-sized gull with a distinctive small head and yellowish bill, breeds in the Arctic tundra and migrates south to warmer coastal regions, including Japan, for the winter. Let's explore the ecology of this charming gull and the environment they inhabit.