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Great Black-backed Gull

City Bird: Rauma's Great Black-backed Gull

May 24, 2012 in Gulls and City Birds with 5 comments

Many countries have an official national bird. For example, the national bird of Israel is the Hoopoe, and the national bird of Mauritius is the Dodo. All U.S. states also have official birds. But did you know that there are even some cities that have their own official bird?

The official city bird of Rauma, Finland is the Great Black-backed Gull. Oddly, in the Rauma dialect, there is no specific name for this species. The word "truut" is used for all large gulls found in the area: Great Black-backed; Lesser Black-backed; and Herring. It is estimated that the Great Black-backed Gull was nesting on Rauma soil 4200 years before the city was officially founded! For Rauma, the gull symbolizes the care that residents should take in local wildlife.

Great Black-backed Gull with the Rauma Coat of Arms
Great Black-backed Gull with the Rauma Coat of Arms

Comments

Tough Titmouse on May 24, 2012 at 5:39 PM wrote:
Cuuuuuute! And so nice to hear about an official city bird. When I looked up Florida's state bird, at first I was guessing something more exotic, or something sort of unusual. Well anyways, the state bird for Florida is..... (dadada drum roll) the MOCKINGBIRD!!!!
The Last of the Dodos on May 25, 2012 at 11:10 PM wrote:
I am so happy that a gull is finally appreciated. Because you know gulls are infamous for occasionally pooping in the air and being a nuisance in trash and scraps. I am just so excited.
Tough Titmouse on May 28, 2012 at 3:27 PM wrote:
@ the Last~ I definitely agree. Isn't it soo nice? ( BTW, I love dodos)
Tough Titmouse on May 31, 2012 at 5:36 PM wrote:
I like you, TLOTD, ( the last of the dodos).
Louise Warner on February 6, 2017 at 5:36 PM wrote:
city slickers"uh?

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