black-backed gull

American  

[blak-bakt] / ˈblækˌbækt /

noun

1. any of several white gulls, as Larus marinus great black-backed gull, having a black back and wings.

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black-backed gull British  

noun

1. either of two common black-and-white European coastal gulls, Larus fuscus ( lesser black-backed gull ) and L. marinus ( great black-backed gull )

2. Also called: karoro.  a southern gull, larus dominicanus , with black feathers on its back

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Etymology

Origin of black-backed gull

First recorded in 1770–80

Example Sentences

The chivalrous puffin lost himself in imagining his heroic death, unaware that the great black-backed gull had descended from the sky.

From Literature

Then, in November 2020, came evidence it had jumped the Atlantic Ocean: Researchers documented a sick great black-backed gull on Newfoundland.

From Science Magazine

Great black-backed gull, Arctic tern, common guillemot and puffin have also tested positive.

From BBC

The unique natural history of the black-backed gull, for example, plays a role in transmission.

From New York Times

Just a few weeks ago, a camera on the island of Skomer, in Wales, captured footage of a great black-backed gull eating an entire rabbit whole.

From Fox News