Pecking order : herring gulls

Herring gulls (larus argentatus) are large seagulls, weighing up to 1.5 kilos.

It takes four years for their juvenile plumage of mottled brown to transform into their adult colours of light-gray, white and black. None of the gulls in this photo have attained adulthood.

To judge by their plumage, the two gulls closest to the camera are two year olds.

To judge by the expression and stance of the gull on the left, he has an important message for the other gull, and it may not be a welcome one.


Performed and photographed on Swanage Beach.