Mew Gull
Larus canus
Conservation status data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_gull
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Charadriiformes
Family
Laridae
Genus
Larus
Mew Gull belongs to the family Laridae, order Charadriiformes, within the Aves class.
Species Profile
Species profile data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
The Mew Gull faces severe population declines due to habitat loss from coastal development, pollution of marine and freshwater environments, and climate change impacts on breeding and feeding areas. Disturbance at nesting colonies and reduced prey availability from overfishing and ecosystem changes further threaten remaining populations. Conservation status may vary by region or assessment authority.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Coastal areas including rocky shores, sandy beaches, estuaries, and mudflats, as well as inland freshwater lakes, rivers, and wetlands. Nests colonially on islands, coastal cliffs, and lakeshores with minimal vegetation.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
The Mew Gull faces severe population declines due to habitat loss from coastal development, pollution of marine and freshwater environments, and climate change impacts on breeding and feeding areas. Disturbance at nesting colonies and reduced prey availability from overfishing and ecosystem changes further threaten remaining populations. Conservation status may vary by region or assessment authority.
Climate change impacts on breeding success
Coastal habitat loss and development
Marine and freshwater pollution
Human disturbance at nesting colonies
Prey depletion from overfishing
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (CR).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Mew Gull (Larus canus). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/mew-gull