Herring gulls are not a solitary species, preferring to nest in colonies. However, they do carefully protect their chosen territory within a colony. Social hierarchies among herring gulls vary; adults are usually dominant over juvenile gulls and, while females prevail regarding choice of nest site, males may dominate females regarding feeding and boundary conflicts.

Herring gull pairs return to their same nesting site for so long as the male is alive and has not deserted the female.

Herring gull chicks and juveniles “play” by carrying around objects and engaging in tug-of-war games.

Herring gulls often develop individual preferences for food and feeding techniques. (Canadian Wildlife Service and Canadian Wildlife Federation, 2008; Pierotti and Good, 1994)

Home Range

Herring gulls usually forage within 20 kilometers, but up to 100 kilometers, from their colony; this home range is dependent on location of preferred food sources. (Pierotti and Good, 1994)