An opportunistic feeder, the Yellow-legged Gull will eat almost anything it can find. Fish, crabs and other marine invertebrates form part of its natural diet, but it also feeds on carrion, discarded food, refuse, and occasionally the eggs or chicks of other seabirds. This remarkable adaptability has helped the species flourish in both natural and human-altered environments.

The Yellow-legged Gull breeds in colonies, choosing cliffs, rocky islets, rooftops, and other coastal structures as nesting sites. Between March and May, pairs typically lay two or three eggs, which hatch after an incubation period of 27–31 days. The chicks grow rapidly and take to the skies after around 35–40 days.

It is Malta’s largest breeding bird. Small colonies nest along the cliffs of Malta and Gozo, while one of the country’s most important breeding sites is the protected island of Filfla, where up to 200 pairs nest each year.

Although the Yellow-legged Gull is currently widespread and abundant, it still faces a number of local threats. Marine pollution, entanglement in fishing gear, disturbance at breeding colonies, and changes in fishing practices can all affect its survival and breeding success. The Yellow-legged Gull is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List thanks to its large and stable global population. In Malta, the species is protected under the EU Birds Directive and the Conservation of Wild Birds Regulations, making it illegal to deliberately disturb, capture, or harm these birds, particularly during the breeding season.