Lesser black-backed Gull

Description:

Rather large white-headed gull, a bit smaller than Herring gull - it measures about 50-55 cm in length. The body of an adult (presented here) is pure, snowy white, and it sports a slate-grey coat, dull-yellow legs and yellow beak with red spot. The eye is yellow with a reddish eye-ring.

Habitat:

Observed in a totally urban setting, interacting with human population of Essaouira. In general, these gulls live in large colonies - the one we met in Essaouira was impressive; there were thousands of birds everywhere, resting, roosting and nesting on rooftops and walls; of foraging, squabbling and flying over the waterfront - and especially (and understandably) large and noisy flocks around and above the fishermen harbor.