H.J. Ruiz – Avian101

There’s one species of gulls from the variety we have in the western hemisphere, that have recovered from a near extinction to be one of the most numerous we have around nowadays. This bird is the Ring-billed Gull. If you don’t see them at the sea shore then you can find them at any lake, pond, parking lot, or in large numbers at any city’s garbage dump. Here is some more information about this gull:

The Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) is a medium-sized gull.

Adults are 19 in. length and with a 49 in. wingspan. The head, neck and underparts are white; the relatively short bill is yellow with a dark ring; the back and wings are silver gray; and the legs are yellow. The eyes are yellow with red rims. This gull takes three years to reach its breeding plumage; its appearance changes with each fall molt.

Their breeding habitat is near lakes, rivers or the coast in Canada and the northern United States. They nest colonially on the ground, often on islands. This bird tends to be faithful to its nesting site, if not its mate, from year to year.

In some areas, it is displacing less aggressive birds such as the common tern.

They are migratory and most move south to the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of North America, also the Great Lakes.

This gull is a regular wanderer to western Europe. In Ireland and Great Britain it is no longer classed as a rarity, with several birds regularly wintering in these countries.

Next are some pictures I shot in Florida while on vacation. Enjoy!

Text excerpts © Wikipedia – Photographs © HJ Ruiz – Avian101