35-39 cm, sexes similar. In February, it gains the dark brown cap for the breeding season, which it then loses in July-August. Present throughout the year ,with a few pairs nesting in small colonies in some valli in the Grado lagoon, normally associated with common tern. Numerous in winter, it frequents agricultural areas where it follows tractors. Along with the herring gull, it is the most frequent species in ports.