There are a couple of gulls species that cause issues in the UK. They are typically medium to large birds, usually grey or white, often with black markings on the head or wings.

They typically have harsh wailing or squawking calls; stout, longish bills; and webbed feet.

Most gulls are ground-nesting carnivores which take live food or scavenge opportunistically, particularly the Larus species.

Live food often includes crabs and small fish. Gulls have unhinging jaws which allow them to consume large prey. Gulls are typically coastal or inland species, rarely venturing far out to sea, except for the kittiwakes.

The large species take up to four years to attain full adult plumage, but two years is typical for small gulls. Large white-headed gulls are typically long-lived birds, with a maximum age of 49 years recorded for the herring gull.