Herring Gull, Larus argentatus. Also known as the Smithsonian Gull and originally classified as Larus smithsonianus. The Herring Gull is a large gull that breeds across Alaska, Canada, northeast Russia, and Mongolia, wintering in the sea off China, Japan, and in sections of North America. This bird has a varied diet, from fish and marine invertebrates, to trash and carrion. Their numbers decreased in the early 1900s when they were hunted for feathers and eggs. This species was also affected by the use of DDT, and were used in an early study that linked the effects to eggshell thinning. The Herring Gull takes about 4 years to reach maturity, with a plumage gradient through development.