Merimetso (Phalacrocorax carbo)

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The Great Black-backed Gull is often confused with the Herring Gull, but a closer look reveals some key differences. The first difference to notice is the size of the birds; the Great Black-backed Gull is significantly larger than its counterpart. In fact, it's not uncommon for the Great Black-backed Gull to be 25% larger than an average-sized Herring Gull. The second major difference between these two species is their coloration. The Great Black-backed Gull has a distinctive black back and white belly, whereas the Herring Gull has a gray back with a few black spots. When it comes to their heads, both gulls have similar markings; however, the Great Black-backed Gull's head is a deeper shade of black. Another notable difference between these two species is their beaks. The Great Black-backed Gull's beak is larger and more powerful than that of the Herring Gull. This is likely due to its diet consisting mainly of fish and other seafood, which requires a stronger beak to crack open shells. Finally, it's worth noting that the Great Black-backed Gull tends to inhabit coastal areas, whereas the Herring Gull can be found in both coastal and inland regions. While they do share some similarities, these key differences make it easy to tell these two species apart.