Common gulls are somewhat misnamed, for in most parts of the British Isles the commonest members of the family are either Black Headed or Herring Gulls. As all the year round residents Common Gulls are restricted to Scotland and the north of Ireland, where they are often abundant. To most other districts of Britain they are visitors outside the breeding season, arriving in August to September and leaving again in March. There is however one precarious and isolated breeding colony in the south of England. In the breeding season they are always to be found near the coast, but in winter they feed freely inland.

In size the Common Gull resembles the Black Headed Gull, but may be distinguished, even when the Black Headed is without the black on the head, by the colour of the legs and bill. The bill is greenish yellow and the legs are greyish or yellowish green. The plumage is white with a soft grey mantle, with the black wing tips having white "mirrors". Immature plumage is mottled brown.

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