List of gulls by cycle

A cycle is defined by a gull's moulting, for example, most Larus gulls are four-cycle gulls. These 4 years are usually divided into 4 plumage 'cycles:' first cycle is from fledging to its first birthday; second cycle is from first to second birthday; third cycle is from second to third birthday; and the fourth cycle ends in the spring of the bird's fourth year.

Gulls can be divided into one of three groups:
 * Two-cycle gulls contains mostly smaller gulls, such as the Black-headed Gull.
 * Three-cycle gulls contains medium-sized gulls, such as the Little Gull.
 * Four-cycle gulls contains the large gulls, such as the European Herring Gull.