Herring gull, Larus argentatus. Close up of a herring gull's head, showing the red spot on the lower part of its bill

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Herring gull, Larus argentatus. Close up of a herring gull's head, showing the red spot on the lower part of its bill and the ring of bare, yellow skin around its eye. Also visible are the nostrils in the upper part of the beak. Like most seabirds, herring gulls are able to excrete excess salt through specially adapted salt glands. These are located just below the eyes; excess salt is excreted through the nostrils in a highly saline solution which then drips from its beak.

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Size: 3600px × 2351px
Photo credit: © Colin Munro / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: argentatus, beak, close, eye, eyes, gull, head, herring, hooked, larus, nostrils, red, ring, skin, spot, yellow