ILLUSTRATION
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PHOTOS
CONSERVATION STATUS
The Ring-billed Gull breeds near lakes, rivers and the coastlines of Canada and the northern United States. Nests are built on the ground in colonies, and are typically used year after year. During the winter months, the Ring-billed Gull will migrate south to the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of North America, as well as the Great Lakes. Some populations are also found in western Europe, Ireland and Great Britain. This species forages for food while flying or in the water, steals food from other birds, or scavenges. Diets typically consist of insects, fish, grain, eggs, earthworms and rodents. The conservation rating for this species is Least Concern.
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SUMMARY
Overview
Ring-billed Gull: Medium gull with gray upperparts and white underparts. Head is white and bill is yellow with black ring near tip. Wings are gray above, tipped black with white spots, and white below. Yellow legs and feet. Strong direct flight on deep wing beats, soars on thermals.
Range and Habitat
Ring-billed Gull: Breeds locally south to California, northern Great Plains, and southern prairie provinces of Canada, Great Lakes region, Canadian Maritimes, and northern New England. Spends winters on coasts, rivers, and lakes from southern New England south to Cuba, from the Great Lakes to the Gulf Coast, and from British Columbia to southern Mexico.
SONGS AND CALLS
Listen to Call
Ring-billed Gull
Voice Text
"kree-kree", "kyow-kyow-kyow"
INTERESTING FACTS
- The Ring-billed Gullis sometimescalled the "fast food gull" because it often hangs around fast food restaurants scavenging for food.
- Young gulls tested at only two days of age showed a preference for magnetic bearings that would take them in the appropriate direction for their fall migration.
- In the late 19th century, this bird was hunted for its plumage. Its population has since rebounded and it is probably the most common gull in North America.
- A group of gulls has many collective nouns, including a "flotilla", "gullery", "screech", "scavenging", and "squabble" of gulls.
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