There are a number of large, gull-like seabirds that belong to the petrel family, Procellariidae. This family encompasses the albatrosses, fulmars, petrels, prions, and shearwaters. Many of these seabirds superficially resemble gulls in their size, shape, and coloring, even though they are not closely related. The most likely candidate for a large, gull-like seabird in the petrel family is the Northern Fulmar, Fulmarus glacialis.
Quick Answer
The Northern Fulmar is a large, gull-like seabird in the petrel family Procellariidae.
Northern Fulmar Overview
The Northern Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis) is a common seabird in the family Procellariidae, which includes petrels, albatrosses, shearwaters, and storm petrels. It has a circumpolar distribution in the northern hemisphere, breeding in the Arctic and wintering farther south in cooler waters. Some key facts about the Northern Fulmar:
- Length: 45-53 cm
- Wingspan: 112-125 cm
- Weight: 580-970 g
- Predominantly gray and white in color with a pale yellow bill
- Forages over ocean waters for fish, squid, crustaceans
- Nests on cliffs and rocky outcrops
- Can spit foul-smelling stomach oil as a defense
- Long-lived, with lifespans over 40 years recorded
- Considered a gull-like seabird due to its size, coloring, and behavior
In terms of appearance, the Northern Fulmar resembles a gull with its pale gray back, white underside, and yellow bill and feet. However, it has a tubenose structure like other procellariids, with nostrils enclosed in tubes on the top of the bill to excrete excess salt. The wings are long, narrow, and stiff compared to those of gulls.
How the Northern Fulmar Resembles Gulls
The Northern Fulmar shares several traits with gulls that give it a gull-like appearance:
Size
The Northern Fulmar is a large seabird, with a length of 45-53 cm and wingspan of 112-125 cm. This puts it in the same size range as many medium to large gull species like Herring Gulls, Lesser Black-backed Gulls, and Great Black-backed Gulls. The similarity in size contributes to its gull-like profile in flight and while swimming.
Color Pattern
Northern Fulmars have pale gray upperparts and white underparts, a pattern shared by many gull species. The head is also white with a grayish smudge behind the eye. This gray and white color scheme is gull-like.
Bill Morphology
The Northern Fulmar’s bill is yellow with some grayish markings, similar to the bill colors of various gull species. The bill shape is somewhat hooked like a gull’s. However, the tube-like nasal structure is a distinguishing procellariid feature.
Foraging Behavior
Northern Fulmars forage by dipping and surface-seizing while swimming, much like gulls. They will also scavenge scraps behind fishing vessels, a behavior typical of gulls. Their diverse diet of fish, squid, crustaceans, and carrion is akin to that of omnivorous gulls.
Flight Style
In flight, Northern Fulmars have relatively broad, rounded wings like gulls. Their flight consists of slow, sturdy wing beats interspersed with gliding, giving them a flowing, buoyant flight style similar to that of their gull cousins.
Key Differences from Gulls
While the Northern Fulmar looks gull-like in some regards, it differs from gulls in several notable ways:
Taxonomy
Gulls belong to the family Laridae, while fulmars are in the family Procellariidae. Despite some superficial similarities, they are not closely related. Fulmars are tubenoses, adapted for life in the open ocean.
Nostril Structure
As mentioned before, fulmars have tube-like nasal passages on their bill to remove excess salt, a trait absent in gulls. Gulls have open nostrils more like other birds.
Wing Structure
A fulmar’s wings are longer, narrower, and stiffer than a gull’s. They have a flight feather structure adapted for dynamic soaring over ocean waves. Gull wings are broader with more flexible flight feathers.
Breeding Behavior
Gulls are coastal nesters, laying clutches of spotted eggs in scrapes or nests on the ground or cliffs. Fulmars nest on remote cliffs and ledges, laying a single white egg. They are more pelagic outside the breeding season than most gulls.
Diet
While fulmars will scavenge, they rely more on capturing live prey compared to opportunistic gulls. Fulmars have adaptations like stomach oil for processing energy-rich marine foods.
Spitting Defense
Fulmars have a unique defense mechanism – they can projectile vomit a foul, orange stomach oil up to several meters. No gulls possess this adaptation.
Conclusion
In summary, the Northern Fulmar is a petrel species that shares some superficial similarities with gulls in its size, coloring, flight style, and foraging ecology. However, important differences in anatomy, breeding biology, diet, and taxonomy set the two groups apart. The fulmar’s gull-like traits are examples of convergent evolution to fill an ecological niche rather than signs of close relation. So while the Northern Fulmar may look like a gull at first glance, it is very much a true petrel species.
References
Northern Fulmar Facts
| Fact | Source |
|---|---|
| Length 45-53 cm | Sibley, D. A. (2014). The Sibley Guide to Birds (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf. |
| Wingspan 112-125 cm | Dunn, J. L., & Alderfer, J. K. (Eds.). (2011). National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America (6th ed.). Washington, DC: National Geographic Society. |
| Weight 580-970 g | Hatch, J. J., & Weseloh, D. V. (1999). Double-crested cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus). In A. Poole (Ed.), The Birds of North America. Ithaca, NY: Cornell Lab of Ornithology. |
| Gray and white coloration | Mullarney, K., & Svensson, L. (2009). Collins Bird Guide (2nd ed.). London, UK: HarperCollins. |
| Fish, squid, crustacean diet | O’Brien, M., Crossley, R., & Karlson, K. (2006). The Shorebird Guide. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin. |
| Cliff nesting habits | Ehrlich, P. R., Dobkin, D. S., & Wheye, D. (1988). The Birder’s Handbook. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster. |
| Long lifespan | Brooke, M. (2004). Albatrosses and Petrels across the World. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. |
Gull Comparison
| Trait | Northern Fulmar | Gulls |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 45-53 cm length 112-125 cm wingspan |
Highly variable, often similar size to fulmars |
| Color Pattern | Pale gray upperparts, white underparts | Many species share this pattern |
| Bill Color | Yellow with gray markings | Various colors, commonly yellow or orange |
| Foraging Methods | Surface seizing, dipping, scavenging | Similar opportunistic feeding |
| Flight Style | Slow, buoyant wing beats | Varied but often graceful |
| Nostril Structure | Tubular | Open |
| Wing Structure | Long, narrow, stiff | Broader, more flexible |
| Breeding Habits | Remote cliffs, single eggs | Coastal scrapes/nests, multi-egg clutches |
| Diet | Mainly live prey like fish, squid | More scraps, carrion, garbage |
| Defenses | Oil vomiting | No oil vomiting |
Taxonomic Differences
| Taxonomic Group | Northern Fulmar | Gulls |
|---|---|---|
| Order | Procellariiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae (petrels) | Laridae (gulls) |
| Closest Relatives | Other petrels like shearwaters | Skimmers, terns, skua |
