A baby seagull is less than a year old and has fluffy feathers and a tiny body. If it is larger, grey or brown in appearance, but still has a dark beak, it is a juvenile aged 1-3 years. If the seagull is completely white and has developed its iconic yellow beak and light feet, it is an adult of three years or more. Keep in mind that it will vary depending on the species of seagull. Overall, seagulls can live for 5 to 15 years in the wild, and once they reach adulthood after 4 years, their appearance does not change much.
There is a common misconception that you can cut a seagull and count its annual growth rings to determine its age. In actuality, this is not true and instead, it shows how much timespan they have left – In which case the answer is none. The reason for the misconception is most likely a mixup on how to determine the age of trees. Just to make sure. This is a joke. – Now back to the question.
What does a baby seagull look like?
Baby seagulls have a fluffy appearance and are quite small. The other half of the body of most seagull species is covered in dark spots or mottles.
Most species’ beaks and legs are dark and have not yet developed into the color of an adult seagull.
Depending on the species, their body length is around 30 cm and their wingspan is around 70 cm. Their weight varies greatly, but it is usually between 70 and 160 grams.
According to this study, Herring Gulls weigh around 50 grams when they reach the age of 5 days.
These baby seagulls can look like babies for up to a year. Following that, they gradually develop their juvenile appearance, which is often more grey and brown.
What do juvenile seagulls look like?
A juvenile seagull is mostly brown with dark spots. They begin to resemble their adult selves in their second year of life due to the development of more white and grey on the upper wings. Their beaks begin to turn a more yellowish color as well.
After three years, most juvenile seagulls have developed most adult characteristics, such as their white appearance, yellow beak, and light feet. They have also grown significantly in size since they were babies.
Conclusion
To determine the age of a seagull, examine its physical appearance, as there are some characteristics that indicate the age of a seagull. The smallest babies are usually easy to distinguish, but the color of the feathers and beak of a juvenile and an adult seagull must be considered.
