2014 Bonanza Bird #6: Ring-billed Gull

The 6th bird in our 2014 Bonanza is a familiar species of gull. It's the Ring-billed Gull!

Birdorable Ring-billed Gull

The Ring-billed Gull is a "white-headed" medium-sized species of gull found across much of North America. In fact, it may be North America's most common gull. They nest near bodies of fresh or marine water in colonial groups.

Ring-billed Gull
Ring-billed Gull by Amy Evenstad

Ring-billed Gulls are known for their skilled flying ability. They can be fast, graceful and agile on the wing. Ring-billed Gulls are even known to steal food from other birds -- in flight! They will practice this skill by playing with an object while in the air, dropping the object, and then swooping down to pick it up again. In non-breeding season, Ring-billed Gulls may roost and forage together in very large flocks, sometimes with other gulls. Ring-billeds seem to like their personal space: they will often stand evenly spaced, keeping at least 1 to 2 meters between each bird. The Ring-billed Gull joins Birdorable today, bringing our total number of bird species to 564. Our Bonanza concludes tomorrow with a striking bird of southeast Asia that also has "bill" in its name. Can you guess tomorrow's species?

Bonanza2014Preview7

Cute Ring-billed Gull Gifts

Comments

Gustavo Carvalho on November 21, 2014 at 12:39 PM wrote:
Looking at the shape and the name with ''bill'' maybe a Broadbill? If it's a broadbill and it's from southeast Asia,maybe a Black-and-Red Broadbill or a Silver-Breasted Broadbill or a Black-and-Yellow Broadbill as they are the most common ones :)
Louise Warner on February 27, 2017 at 7:38 AM wrote:
black and yellow broadbill!
Louise Warner on February 27, 2017 at 7:41 AM wrote:
i men't black-and-yellow or black-and-red and silver- breasted broadbill.
Spurwing Plover on January 26, 2022 at 7:53 AM wrote:
I have seen Ring Bills in Yreka Ca they hang around in Greenhorn Park and the Fast Food places(McDonalds,Burger King)and i once saw some at a Car Wash squabbling over Dropped Taco
Spurwing Plover on January 14, 2023 at 8:05 AM wrote:
Steven Seagull

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