Herring gull explained

Herring gull is a common name for several birds in the genus Larus, all formerly treated as a single species.

Three species are still combined in some taxonomies:

• American herring gull (Larus smithsonianus) - North America
• European herring gull (Larus argentatus) - Northern Europe
• Vega gull (Larus vegae) - East Asia

Additional species formerly included within this species include:

• Armenian gull (Larus armenicus) - Caucasus and Middle East
• Caspian gull (Larus cachinnans) - Eastern Europe and Central Asia
• Yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis) - Southern Europe, North Africa and Middle East