The little gull (Hydrocoloeus minutus or Larus minutus), is a small gull that breeds in northern Europe and across the Palearctic.
It is migratory, wintering on coasts in western Europe, the Mediterranean and the northeast United States. As is the case with many gulls, it has traditionally been placed in the genus Larus. It is the only member of the genus
This species breeds colonially on freshwater marshes, making a lined nest on the ground amongst vegetation. Normally 2 to 6 eggs are laid.
It is pale grey in breeding plumage with a black hood, dark underwings and often a pinkish flush on the breast. In winter, the head goes white apart from a darker cap and eyespot. The bill is thin and black and the legs dark red. The flight on rounded wings is somewhat ternlike.
Young birds have black markings on the head and upperparts, and "W" pattern across the wings. They take three years to reach maturity.
These gulls pick food off the water surface, and will also catch insects in the air like a black tern.