Great Black-backed Gull - Breeding

Breeding

This species breeds singly or in small colonies, with pair formation occurring in March or April. They make a lined nest on the ground often on top of a rocky stack, fallen log or other obstructing object which can block the contents from the elements. Usually, several nest scrapes are made before the one deemed best by the parents is selected and is then lined with grass, seaweed or moss or objects such as rope or plastic. The female lays one to three eggs sometime between late April and late June. The eggs are greenish-brown with dark speckles and blotches. Both parents participate in the incubation stage, which lasts for approximately 28 days. The breeding pair are devoted parents who both take shifts brooding the young, defending the nest and gathering food. Young Great Black-backed Gulls leave the nest area at 50 days of age and may remain with their parents for an overall period of around six months, though most fledglings choose to congregate with other immature gulls in the search for food by fall. These gulls reach breeding maturity when they obtain adult plumage at four years, though may not successfully breed until they are six years old.