
This smallish gull is short-legged and short-billed. At rest, the tail is slightly notched. Alternate Adult: Medium gray mantle, with all-white head, tail, and underparts. The legs are short and black. Bill is all yellow. At close range, note the red eye ring and gape. Basic Adult: Blackish spot on auriculars, pale gray wash over nape. Legs may be brown or even reddish. Adult in flight: Underside of wings bright white. Wing tips are solid black above and below, as if the wings had been dipped in ink. First Cycle: Medium gray mantle with a conspicuous black carpal bar. There is a blackish patch on the auriculars, and a black collar around the back of the neck. The bill and legs are black. In flight, the black carpal bar and black leading edge of the wing form an M pattern. This pattern, combined with the somewhat triangular white trailing edge of the upper wing is suggestive of the wing pattern of Sabine's Gull at a distance. The tail has a black terminal band. Third Cycle: Like adult, but with increased black in outer primaries.
Length: 38 (cm) Wingspan: 93 (cm)
Voice:
Near the nest site, gives a laughing kitti-weeak. Usually silent in winter.
Habitat:
Nests on sea cliffs, offshore rocks, abandoned buildings. Spends most of the winter at sea.
Behavior:
Flies with quick, stiff wingbeats. Handles strong winds better than most other gulls.
Feeding:
Feeds at sea.
Field Notes
Expanded Life History
Feed Ecology And Diet | Contribute Content |
Nesting Habits | Contribute Content |
Migration Status | Contribute Content |
Conservation Status | Contribute Content |
Local Sites to Spot | Contribute Content |
Abundance Status | Contribute Content |
Adult Male Description | Contribute Content |
Adult Female Description | Contribute Content |
ITIS Taxonomic Number | Contribute Content |
Sonogram | Contribute Content |
Courtship | Contribute Content |
Reproductive Characteristics | Contribute Content |
Relationship to Humans | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Size & Shape | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Color & Pattern | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Habitat | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Behavior | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Wingspan | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Weight | Contribute Content |
Breeding | Contribute Content |
Cool Facts | Contribute Content |
Local Knowledge | Contribute Content |
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Sightings
Date | Submitted By | Count |
---|---|---|
02/22/14 | Bob Archer | # |
07/15/87 | Chelsea Bassanese, BC | # |
02/04/12 | Jeffrey Greco, PA | 2 |
12/26/11 | Joe Blowers, OR | # |
06/27/11 | Christopher Hinkle, OR | 75 |
02/27/11 | Shawneen Finnegan, OR | # |
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