Bird Description

The common, large pink-legged 'default' gull on or near the coast. Scarcer in the W. Colonial breeder in marshes. Found wherever food is plentiful. Largest concentrations (1000's) at landfills in winter. 'American' Herring Gull probably full species with differing populations within. Hybridizes fairly frequently. Usually found in mixed groups. ID: 4-yr gull. Remarkably variable. Sometimes appear confusing: focus on size, bill, mantle, and leg color in 3rd-yr/ad. Younger imms: generally dull pattern of color, size and bill. Focus on wing and tail patterns to differentiate from other species. Ad br: pale gray mantle. Pink legs (variable). Pale iris (usually). Deep yellow bill with red spot. Ad nonbr: diffusely streaked head. Bill paler. 3rd-yr as adult with more dark in coverts, tail and bill. Juv: variably brown (some grayer) with pale-fringed upperparts. N. populations larger, grayer, and molt later. Dark bill and iris. 1st-w: scapulars and mantle have complex dark centres and extensive light gray edges. Become increasingly bedraggled into summer, some bleach very pale, some wear very dark. 2nd-w: newer feathers with complex patterns, variegated look but superficially grungy. Gray mantle in most. Increasingly more adult-like through year.