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.