Mew or Common Gull

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 [[image:Mewgull.jpg]]
+'''Common Name:''' Common or Mew Gull
+'''Scientific Name:''' Larus canus
+'''Size:''' 11 inches (28 cm)
+'''Habitat:''' Northern Hemisphere; breeds in northern Asia, northern Europe and northwestern North America. It migrates further south in winter.
+'''Status:''' Not threatened.
+'''Diet:''' Small fish and animals by hunting or scavenging.
+'''Nesting:''' They breed in colonies near water or in marshes, making a lined nest on the ground or in a small tree; colony size varies from 2 to 320 or even more pairs. Usually three eggs are laid; they hatch after 24-26 days, with the chicks fledging after a further 30-35 days
+'''Cool Facts:''' There are four subspecies of Common Gull ( two of them considered distinct species by some authorities):
+* Larus canus canus (Europe and western Asia. Small; mantle medium grey (palest subspecies); wingtips with extensive black; iris dark.)
+* Larus canus heinei (Central northern Asia. Medium size; mantle dark grey (darkest subspecies); wingtips with extensive black; iris dark.)
+* Larus canus kamtschatschensis (Northeastern Asia. Large; mantle medium-dark grey; wingtips with extensive black; iris pale. )
+* Larus canus brachyrhynchus (Alaska and western Canada. Small; mantle medium-dark grey; wingtips with little black and much white; iris pale)

Revision as of 23:27, 15 February 2009