What is Herring gull?
{{Taxobox | name = Herring gull | status_system = iucn3.1 | image = Larus argentatus01.jpg | image_width = 250px | image_caption = Breeding-plumaged adult on [[Heligoland]] | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]] | classis = [[bird|Aves]] | ordo = [[Charadriiformes]] | familia = [[gull|Laridae]] | genus = ''[[Larus]]'' | binomial = ''Larus argentatus'' | range_map = Larus argentatus map.svg | range_map_width = 250px | range_map_caption = Distribution}} [[File:Larus argentatus argenteus MHNT.ZOO.2010.11.122.16.jpg|thumb| ''Larus argentatus argenteus'']] The '''herring gull''' (''Larus argentatus'' or European herring gull) is a large [[gull]] (up to 26&nbsp;inches or 66&nbsp;cm long). It is the most abundant and best known of all gulls along the shores of western Europe.<ref>Gilliard, E. Thomas 1958. ''Living birds of the world'', p. 174. Doubleday & Company, New York.</ref> It breeds across [[Northern Europe]], [[Western Europe]], [[Scandinavia]] and the [[Baltic states]]. Some herring gulls, especially those resident in colder areas, [[migration|migrate]] further south in winter, but many are permanent residents, e.g. in the [[British Isles]], [[Iceland]], or on the [[North Sea]] shores. European herring gulls are also abundant around inland garbage dumps, and some have even adapted to life in inland cities. ==Taxonomy== The taxonomy of the herring gull / [[lesser black-backed gull]] group is very complicated, with different authorities recognising between two and eight [[species]]. This group has a [[ring species|ring distribution]] around the [[northern hemisphere]]. Differences between adjacent forms in this ring are fairly small, but by the time the circuit is completed, the end members, herring gull and lesser black-backed gull, are clearly different species. == References == {{Reflist}} [[Category:Charadriiformes]] [[Category:Birds of Europe]]