American Herring Gull Identification

Large gull with a somewhat large, but slim bill and robust body. Breeding adults have clean white heads and underparts with pale gray backs and wings. Note pale legs and yellow eye.

Nonbreeding adults have extensive tan streaking on their neck. Note the pale gray upperparts and the pale eye.

A large, barrel-chested gull with pink legs in all plumages. Breeding adult has light gray upperparts, clean white underparts, a white head, yellow eyes, a fairly slim bill with a red mark, and mostly black wingtips with some white markings.

Third winter birds start to acquire pale gray feathers on their back, but still have extensive tan streaking on their head and neck. Note pale yellow eye.

This more advanced third winter bird looks nearly like an adult, with its pale gray back, but it still has streaking on the neck and a black band around its bill.

Characteristic "long call" and display involves leaning forward, lowering the head, and giving an extended series of loud cries.

The second winter gull is heavily streaked throughout with a few gray back feathers coming in. Note dark primaries, lacking white tips.

Some second winter birds have less streaking on their necks and look very pale overall, but note its pale eye and pink legs.

Pairs often feed each other as part of courtship. Females are usually smaller than males; this one is soliciting food from her partner using begging motions similar to those used by chicks.

Juveniles are tan overall with tan-and-white checker boarding on their back. Juveniles have an entirely dark bill and a dark eye.

In flight, they look barrel-chested and broad-winged. Pale gray above with dark wingtips with only small white spots (aka "mirrors") on the dark tips.

Juveniles are brown with black bills. This one begs and receives regurgitated food from a parent, as the other parent moves in and also eats the food. Afterward, the two adults perform "long calls."

Juveniles in flight have dark primaries without the white spots or mirrors and a thick dark band across their tail.

Found along both coasts and near large reservoirs, lakes, and major rivers. They feed in habitats as diverse as open water, mudflats, plowed fields, and garbage dumps, and gather in almost any open space near food.