Long-tailed Skua vs Silver Gull

In short

The Long-tailed Skua and the Silver Gull are distinct in both appearance and habitat. The Long-tailed Skua is an Arctic bird with a slender build and long central tail feathers, while the Silver Gull is a common coastal gull with a more robust body and shorter tail. Observing tail shape and habitat can quickly help differentiate these species.

Identification tips

1. Tail Shape: Look for the long central tail feathers in adult Long-tailed Skuas. 2. Habitat: Consider the location; Long-tailed Skuas are rarely near shore, while Silver Gulls are coastal. 3. Plumage: Note the more muted coloration of the Long-tailed Skua compared to the Silver Gull's grey and white. 4. Behavior: Observe if the bird is alone (likely a Skua) or in a flock (likely a Gull).

Size

The Long-tailed Skua is more slender with a longer tail, while the Silver Gull is more robust and lacks the long tail feathers.

Plumage

Long-tailed Skuas have a more muted coloration with long central tail feathers in adults, whereas Silver Gulls have a more uniform grey and white plumage without elongated tail feathers.

Behaviour

Long-tailed Skuas are often seen singly, especially during migration over open oceans, while Silver Gulls are commonly found in flocks near coastal areas.

Habitat

Long-tailed Skuas breed in the Arctic tundra and migrate over open oceans, rarely near shore. Silver Gulls are typically found in coastal areas and are common in populated regions.