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Little Gull Identification

Little Gull Breeding adult
Breeding adult

Small, black-headed gull with red legs, a black bill, and dark underwings.

© Ian Davies | Macaulay LibrarySouth Karelia, June 07, 2015
Little Gull Nonbreeding adult
Nonbreeding adult

Nonbreeding birds are pale gray above with a white tail. In flight, shows dark underwings. Note dark ear patch and smudgy crown.

© Anonymous eBirder | Macaulay LibraryOntario, November 08, 2005
Little Gull Juvenile
Juvenile

During migration Little Gulls forage along large lakes or coastal waters for small fish.

© Matthew D. Medler | Macaulay LibraryNew York, August 31, 2014
Little Gull First summer
First summer

First-summer birds have a thin black "M" pattern on the back and a black band on the tail.

© Yann Kolbeinsson | Macaulay LibraryNorðurland eystra, July 23, 2017
Little Gull Juvenile
Juvenile

Juveniles have a distinctive black M pattern on their backs that is visible in flight. The head appears smudgy black and gray. The tail is white with a black tip.

© Nick Saunders | Macaulay LibrarySaskatchewan, October 13, 2013
Little Gull Mixed flock
Mixed flock

Little Gulls regularly associate with Bonaparte's Gulls and other gull species at roosting sites — usually on beaches or mudflats.

© Matthew D. Medler | Macaulay LibraryNew York, August 31, 2014
Little Gull First summer with Bonaparte's Gull
First summer with Bonaparte's Gull

Note dark underwings compared to Bonaparte's Gulls.

© Jeremiah Trimble | Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, September 02, 2017
Little Gull Juvenile
Juvenile

Note slender black bill and small size. The crown and ear patch on some juveniles is brownish black.

© Stephen Mirick | Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, September 22, 2015
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Adult Description

  • Small gull.
  • Back and wings pale gray with white wingtips.
  • Underside of wings blackish.
  • Underparts white.
  • Head black during breeding.
  • Dark spot behind eyes and on cap in winter.

Immature Description

Juvenile Plumage: Much blackish on head, neck, and back, a black bar across the wing, and a black tail tip.
First Winter (Basic I) Plumage: similar to nonbreeding adult, but with brownish black bar across the base of the wing, much black in the outer wing, and a black band across the tip of the tail.
First Summer (Alternate I) Plumage: Like first winter, but with full or partial hood. Dark on back fades with wear. Center of tail tip often white.
Second Winter (Basic II) Plumage: Like adult, but variable black markings on upper wingtip, and paler under wings.
Relative Size

Relative Sizecrow sizedcrow-sized
Measurements
  • Both Sexes
    • Length: 11.4-11.8 in (29-30 cm)
    • Weight: 3.5-5.3 oz (100-150 g)
    • Wingspan: 24.0 in (61 cm)

Species in This Family

Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers(Order: Charadriiformes, Family:Laridae)

Black-legged KittiwakeBlack-legged Kittiwake
Ivory GullIvory Gull
Sabine's GullSabine's Gull
Bonaparte's GullBonaparte's Gull
Black-headed GullBlack-headed Gull
Little GullLittle Gull
Ross's GullRoss's Gull
Laughing GullLaughing Gull
Franklin's GullFranklin's Gull
Heermann's GullHeermann's Gull
Mew GullMew Gull
Ring-billed GullRing-billed Gull
Western GullWestern Gull
California GullCalifornia Gull
Herring GullHerring Gull
Iceland GullIceland Gull
Lesser Black-backed GullLesser Black-backed Gull
Glaucous-winged GullGlaucous-winged Gull
Glaucous GullGlaucous Gull
Great Black-backed GullGreat Black-backed Gull
Least TernLeast Tern
Gull-billed TernGull-billed Tern
Caspian TernCaspian Tern
Black TernBlack Tern
Roseate TernRoseate Tern
Common TernCommon Tern
Arctic TernArctic Tern
Forster's TernForster's Tern
Royal TernRoyal Tern
Sandwich TernSandwich Tern
Elegant TernElegant Tern
Black SkimmerBlack Skimmer

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