What is Little Gull?

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About Little Gull:

The Little Gull (Hydrocoloeus minutus) is the smallest species of gull (seabird) in the world, belonging to the family Laridae.
It breeds in northern Europe and across the Palearctic.
It is migratory, wintering on coasts in western Europe, the Mediterranean, and (in small numbers) the northeast United States.
Habitat: Seacoasts, bays, estuaries, rivers, lakes, ponds, marshes, and flooded fields.
Features:
- This is the smallest gull species, with a length of 25–30 cm, a wingspan of 61–78 cm, and a mass of 68–162 g.
- It is pale grey in breeding plumage with a black hood, dark underwings, and often a pinkish flush on the breast.
- In winter, the head goes white apart from a darker cap and eye-spot.
- The bill is thin and black, and the legs are dark red. The flight on rounded wings is somewhat tern-like.
- Young birds have black markings on the head and upper parts, and a “W” pattern across the wings. They take three years to reach maturity.
IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Q1: What is an estuary?

An estuary is an area where a freshwater river or stream meets the ocean. In estuaries, the salty ocean mixes with a freshwater river, resulting in brackish water. Brackish water is somewhat salty, but not as salty as the ocean.

News: Eurasian little gull makes NCR ‘debut’