Adults are 49 cm length and with a 124 cm wingspan. The head, neck and underparts are white; the relatively short bill is yellow with a dark ring; the back and wings are silver grey; and the legs are yellow. The eyes are yellow with red rims.

Coastal areas and occasionally on large inland lakes.

This gull takes three years to reach its breeding plumage; its appearance changes with each moult.

Widespread but scattered records in Britain.

Uncommon in Leicestershire and Rutland.