Bonaparte's Gull
Chroicocephalus philadelphia
The Bonaparte's Gull (Chroicocephalus philadelphia) is a common skimmers, noddies, terns, and gull found in 35 countries. Bonaparte's gull is a gull found mainly in northern North America.
About the Bonaparte's Gull
Bonaparte's gull is a gull found mainly in northern North America. At 28 to 38 cm in length, it is one of the smallest species of gull. Its plumage is mainly white with grey upperparts. During breeding season, Bonaparte's gull gains a slaty-black hood. The sexes are similar in appearance.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
Bonaparte's gull is among the smallest of the gull species; only little gull and Saunders's gull are smaller. Adults range from 28 to 38 cm (11 to 15 in) in length, with a wingspan of 76–84 cm (30–33 in) and a weight of 180–225 g (6.3–7.9 oz). There is no difference in plumage or bare part colour between the sexes, though males tend to be heavier than females. Bonaparte's gull is smaller-bodied, smaller-headed, and smaller-billed than the other common hooded gulls of North America. Voice: Bonaparte's gull has a voice described as nasal and raspy, with calls variously transcribed as cherr or cheeer.
What the Bonaparte's Gull sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Belgium, France, Chile, Panama, Netherlands, Germany, Guatemala, Antigua & Barbuda, Ecuador, Martinique, Morocco.
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, August, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in April. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Bonaparte's Gull?
- Bonaparte's gull is among the smallest of the gull species; only little gull and Saunders's gull are smaller. Full identification notes are on this page.
- Where can you see a Bonaparte's Gull?
- The Bonaparte's Gull occurs in 35 countries, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom and Spain.
- What does a Bonaparte's Gull sound like?
- You can listen to a field recording of the Bonaparte's Gull on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Bonaparte's Gull?
- The Bonaparte's Gull is most easily confused with the Silver Gull, the Brown-hooded Gull and the Slender-billed Gull.
- Is the Bonaparte's Gull endangered?
- The Bonaparte's Gull is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Bonaparte's Gull for real
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