Great Black-backed Gull - Longevity and Mortality

Longevity and Mortality

This is a relatively long-living bird. The maximum recorded age for a wild Great Black-backed Gull is 27.1 years. Mortality typically occurs in the early stages of life, when harsh weather conditions (including flooding) and starvation can threaten them, as well as predators. Chicks and eggs are preyed on by crows, cats, other gulls, raccoons and rats. The Bald Eagle, Golden Eagle, and White-tailed Eagle are the only birds known to habitually predate healthy, fully grown Great Black-backed Gulls. A Great Skua was filmed in Scotland unsuccessfully attempting to kill a second or third year Great Black-backed Gull. The slightly smaller Pomarine Skua has been observed to have been predated by Great Black-backed Gulls. Killer whales and sharks also reportedly prey upon adult and juvenile birds at sea. In some biomes, where large eagles are absent the Great Black-backed Gull may be considered the apex predator.