What is the scientific name for a gull?

Answer 1

AnswerThe scientific name for the family Gulls is Laridae. There are over fifty species of Gull in existence today. Each species has a scientific name which is Latinised. The first part of the scientific name is the generic name denoting the genus. A genus is a group of closely related species within a family, or it can be just one or two species considered sufficiently different from other species to merit their own genus. This first part of the name always starts with a capital letter. The second part is the specific name denoting the species. It never starts with a capital. Many of these species have subspecies or geographical races, (for which a third name is added) about which there is much debate!

Most gull species belong to the genus Larus ie, typical gulls. Larus is simply Latin for sea bird.

Latin names for various species

• Common Gull (Mew Gull): Larus canus
• Mediterranean Gull: Larus melanocephalus
• Franklin's Gull: Larus pipixcan
• Little Gull: Hydrocoloeus minutus (formerly Larus minutus)
• Sabine's Gull: Larus sabini
• Bonaparte's Gull: Larus philadelphia
• Ring-billed Gull: Larus delawarensis
• Lesser Black-backed Gull: Larus fuscus
• Laughing Gull: Larus atricilla
• Herring Gull: Larus argentatus
• Great Black-headed Gull: Larus ichthyaetus
• Black-headed gull: Chroicocephalus ridibundus
• Swallow-tailed Gull: Creagrus furcatu (the only member of its genus)
• Grey-headed Gull: Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus (formerly Larus cirrocephalus)
• Lava Gull:Leucophaeus fuliginosus (formerly Larus fuliginosus)
• Silver Gull: Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae (formerly Larus novaehollandiae)
• American Herring Gull: Larus smithsonianus
• Yellow Legged Gull: Larus michahellis
• Caspian Gull: Larus cachinnans
• Iceland Gull: Larus glaucoides
• Thayers' Gull: Larus theyeri
• Glaucous Gull: Larus hyperboreus
• Great Black-backed Gull: Larus marinus
• Ross's Gull: Rhodostethia rosea
• Black legged Kittiwake: Rissa tridactyla
• Ivory Gull: Pagophila eburnea

Answer 2

There are dozens of different types of gull.

Most belong to the genus Larus. Some are Chroicocephalus or other genus.

Answer 3

Larus Occidentalis There are many species of gulls. Check a reliable field guide.

Answer 4

Larus argentatus.