Great Black-backed Gull is the largest of the gulls and terns in the Laridae taxonomic family, so it’s nice to have a few in Erie County, Pennsylvania this time of year. (Also, large size + black back + pink legs = easy to spot.) One of the several individuals at Beach 11 at Presque Isle State Park the other day was the largest we’ve seen:
Note the size difference between it and nearby Ring-billed Gulls:
Left of center = adult Great Black-backed Gull, right of center is probably immature/juvenile Great Black-backed Gull:
Another good size comparison:
Looks like its the Lord of the Gulls! Good thing it doesn’t eat other gulls!
It might eat a dead gull, who knows? They are quite impressive.