Ring-billed Gull - Photos by Bruce Dayton - Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)

ORDER: Charadriiformes
FAMILY: Laridae (Gulls and Terns - 49 Species)
SUB-FAMILY: Larinae
SPECIES: Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)

Ring-billed Gull
The Ring-billed Gull takes three years to reach its breeding plumage; its appearance changes with each fall molt. They normally return to the same nesting area each year and often very close to their nest site of the previous year.
SIZE	The Ring-billed Gull is a medium sized (17-21”) gull.
DESCRIPTION	They can be recognized by their short yellow bill with a black ring near the tip. They have a white head, neck and underparts with a light gray back and yellow legs.
NESTING	Clutch size ranges from 2-4 eggs, which are incubated in 24 to 28 days. They usually nest in colonies with up to several hundred other gulls. They nest in hollows on the ground lined with reeds. Both parents incubate the eggs.
RANGE	The Ring-billed Gull ranges across Canada and northern United State, In winter, most of them migrate to the coasts or to the Gulf of Mexico.
HABITAT	Although they habitat near lakes, rivers or the coasts, most of them stay inland on fields near farms.
DIET	The Ring-billed Gull eats insects, fish, seeds, grain, and food discarded by people.




Ring-billed Gull

Lansing Township Tompkins County, New York


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Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge Seneca County, New York


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INTERESTING FACTS

Seabird Colony

A seabird colony is a site, where seabirds go to breed. Although there are some small colonies, a classic seabird colony may contain hundreds or thousands of birds (some colonies of over a million birds are known). Colonies are usually along coastal locations on beaches, islands and cliffs. Seabird colonies often are occupied by several different species, but each species usually band together in their own location. Seabirds can nest on the ground (with or without nests), in trees, on cliffs, in rocky crevices and even burrows under the ground.

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The images on this web page are copyrighted © 2003 - 2008 by Bruce Dayton. I want to share my photos to promote conservation and to help people identify and learn about the birds and other creatures that live with us on the North American continent. Please do not use any of my work in any non-profit or for-profit project without first getting written permission from me. You can ask for permission by emailing me at webmaster@wildlifeofnorthamerica.info. All reproductions must bear an appropriate credit.

Towhee Drawing by Louis Agassiz Fuertes