Ring-billed Gull

Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)
Species Code: LADE

What they look like: The Ring-billed Gull is a medium-sized, white-headed gull, that appears similar to the Herring and California Gulls, but is smaller, with a shorter bill that has a broad, black ring around it.

The juvenile is mottled brown mixed with adult plumage characteristics. It has pink legs and a pink bill with a dark tip. As the bird matures, the legs turn yellow, and the bill becomes yellow with a black ring. The adult's eye is also yellow. The adult in non-breeding plumage has brown streaking on its head.

Call: Call a shrill "oooww." Also series of short "a-a-a-a-a-a"s.

Listen to calls of this species »

Where they live:

This species is common in eastern Washington, breeding colonially on gravel islands in lakes and rivers and feeding in agricultural lands, cities, and wetlands nearby. They are locally common breeders in western Washington on dredge-spoil islands in Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay.

Click the range map to learn more about the distribution of Ring-billed Gulls in Washington.

What they eat: Ring-billed Gulls eat a wide variety of things, including insects, grubs, earthworms, sewage, garbage, small rodents, fish, crabs and other aquatic organisms.

Nesting: Nest is a scrape in the ground or vegetation, filled with twigs, sticks, grasses, leaves, lichens, and mosses. Ring-billed Gulls nests in colonies. The clutch (eggs produced at the same time) is usually 3 eggs. Range: 1-4.

Behavior: Ring-billed Gulls are outgoing, adaptable, and opportunistic birds. They spend much of their time feeding on land, but also eat while wading, swimming, or flying. These gulls spend a lot of time looking for dead animals (scavenging) and often steal food from other birds.

Migration: Ring-billed Gulls migrate in flocks, following coastlines and major river valleys. In Washington, many winter residents are present along the coastline. Breeders in eastern Washington may stay in the lowlands year round, but many migrate to the coast. (BirdWeb)

Did you know?

• Ring-billed Gulls normally return to breed at the colony where they hatched.
• It can be found along the coasts, but many of these "seagulls" never see anything except fresh water all their lives