Bird Description

N. gull. Uncommon in S. Prefers coastal areas, but also landfills, etc. Breeds NE Canada. Race 'kumlieni'. Contentious taxonomy. Kumlien's possibly originates from hybridization between nominate ICGU ('glaucoides') and THGU; variable appearance overlaps with both. 'glaucoides' possibly occurs, is smaller and paler than 'kumlieni' with white wing-tips, but not possible to id given current knowledge. ID: Averages smaller than HEGU. Short slim bill with pot belly, short-necked and dome-headed. Long primary projection and wing point often gives 'gentle' or dove-like appearance. Legs short and appear set back on body. Often easier to pick out in flight when whiter wing-tips show than when sitting in flocks of HEGU. Ad: wing-tip pattern from all-white to dark gray (not black) similar to THGU. Dull yellow bill with red spot. Iris pale yellow to brown. Deep red orbital ring. Limited head-streaking in winter. 2nd/3rd-yr: variable mix of adult and imm feathers. Bicolored bill. Wing-tips variable, not black as THGU, though subjective! Juv: seems colorless, uniformly checkered (including tertials). Color varies from pale to fairly dark (particularly fresh plumage), tending to colder colors than THGU with more extensive pale bases to upperpart feathers. Dark outer webs to primaries. Tail band rarely as solidly dark as in THGU. Usually all-dark bill.