I am finally giving in and working on my gull skills. As with anything new, it seems quite daunting. "Where do I begin? There are just so many variations? I'll never learn this. Who cares?" All the self doubt, fear of failure, fear of feeling stupid or being found out that I am a sham, seems to apply to gull ? ID, new art, and any new skill. But, I find when I take a deep breath and approach it methodically and patiently, it all starts to come together. I am not an expert overnight and I still have a long way to go, but making the effort sure helps.
This will be a living blog that I will update as I get new information, insights, and photos. If you find I have made an error, please let me know. I will correct it and learn. If you know another source, let me know. If you find this helpful, let me know.
So here goes. I am highlighting a few key points that will help me in the field and help me to remember the differences.
BOGU Bonaparte's Gull - Chroicocephalus philadelphia (13.5") Two-year gull
Pigeon size, Black bill, Post occular spot, Generally don't mix with others
1st Winter
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1st Summer |
Winter Adult |
SBIG Short-billed Gull - Larus brachyrhynchus (17") Three-year gull
Similar to Ring-billed, but smaller bill and shorter legs. Dark iris on adult. Winters on the coast
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2nd Winteryellow bill may be slightly ringed, yellow legs
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Winter Adultdark iris, yellow bill, yellow legs Winter Adult |
RBGU Ring-billed Gull - Larus delawarensis (17.5") Three-year gull
Pale mantle
1st Winterpink bill, pink legs 1st Winter |
2nd WinterSimilar to adult, fewer tail markings, thick band on bill,
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Non-breeding Adultyellow legs, yellow bill, light iris ringed with red
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HEEG Heerman's Gull -Larus heermanni (19") Four-year Gull
Distinctive, dark easy to identify
Heerman's Gull - Larus heermanniOrder: CHARADRIIFORMES - Plovers, Sandpipers, and Allies |
Heerman's Gull - Larus heermanni (immature)Order: CHARADRIIFORMES - Plovers, Sandpipers, and Allies |
Heerman's Gull - Larus heermanniOrder: CHARADRIIFORMES - Plovers, Sandpipers, and Allies Winter Adult |
Heerman's Gull - Larus heermanniMalibu Lagoon 06/14/2106 Breeding Adult |
CAGU California Gull - Larus californicus (21") Four-year Gull
Variable, mantle lighter than western, adult yellowish legs, dark eye, slim straight bill
California Gull - Larus californicus (1st Wiinter)California Gull - Larus californicus (1st Wiinter) Dana Point, San Juan Creek Mouth 12/11/2016
1st Winter |
California Gull - Larus californicus (2nd Wiinter)California Gull - Larus californicus (2nd Wiinter) Dana Point, San Juan Creek Mouth 12/11/2016
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California Gull - Larus californicus (3rd Wiinter)California Gull - Larus californicus (3rd Wiinter) Dana Point, San Juan Creek Mouth 12/11/2016
3rd Winter |
California Gull - Larus californicusOrder: CHARADRIIFORMES - Plovers, Sandpipers, and Allies |
Thayers (23)" Four-year Gull - UNCOMMON IN OUR AREA
Highly Variable
1st Winter |
2nd Winter |
3rd Winter |
Winter Adult |
Yellow-footed (24") Four-year Gull - UNCOMMON IN OUR AREA
I got nothing
1st Winter |
2nd Winter |
3rd Winter |
Winter Adult |
WEGU Western Gull - Larus occidentalis (25") Four-year Gull
Adults White head, dark gray back, pink legs, large yellow bill with red dot,thick tipped, slightly drooping, darker eyes
1st Winter
1st Winter |
dark gray back, two toned bill, yellow eye |
Western Gull - Larus occidentalisAlmansor Park, Alhambra 02/04/2016
3rd Winter |
Western Gull - Larus occidentalisOrder: CHARADRIIFORMES - Plovers, Sandpipers, and Allies |
AMHG American Herring Gull - Larus smithsonianus (25") Four-year Gull
Mantle lighter than California Gull, Highly variable
Section needs work
American Herring Gull - Larus smithsonianusHerring Gull - Larus argentatus LA River, Compton 03/12/2017
Winter Adult |
GWGU Glaucous-winged Gull - Larus glaucescens (26") Four-year Gull
Bill shape variable, unpatterned and uniformly colored plumage. Wing tips same color as back.
Hybridizes
(1st winter)Glaucous-winged Gull - Larus glaucescens (1st winter)
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2nd Winter |
3rd Winter |
Glaucous-winged Gull - Larus glaucescens (hybrid)Order: CHARADRIIFORMES - Plovers, Sandpipers, and Allies |
First year birds
SBIG |
1st Winterpink bill, pink legs RBGU |
CAGU |
(1st winter)Glaucous-winged Gull - Larus glaucescens (1st winter) GWGU |
WEGU |
Adult
Winter Adultdark iris, yellow bill, yellow legs SBIG |
1st Winterpink bill, pink legs
RBGU |
California Gull - Larus californicus (or hybrid)LA River, Long Beach 12/19/2015 CAGU |
pink legs |
WEGU pink legs
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AMHG |