A large gull, white-headed in summer, with a mid-grey to dark grey or black back, black-and-white wingtips, red-spotted yellow bill, and bright yellow legs when adult.

A Lesser Black-backed Gull in early summer is a beautiful bird by any standards, its slate-grey back contrasting with its immaculate white head and underparts, and set off by yellow legs and a really vivid, waxy yellow bill. These gulls are less attractive in their feeding habits, however, since they kill a great many smaller seabirds, including Puffins, Manx Shearwaters, and Storm Petrels.