Ring-billed Gull

About the Ring-billed Gull

The ring-billed gull is a medium-sized gull native to North America, breeding in Canada and the northern Contiguous United States, and wintering mainly in the United States and northern Mexico. The genus name is from Latin Larus which appears to have referred to a gull or other large seabird. The specific delawarensis refers to the Delaware River.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

ID tip

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

What the Ring-billed Gull sounds like

Where it lives

Recorded as a rare visitor in Germany, Netherlands, Ecuador, Denmark, Czechia, Morocco, Aruba, St. Barthélemy, Japan, Jersey, Russia.

When to see it

Peak activity in April · a resident species across most of its range

Easily confused with

American Herring GullLarus smithsonianusThe herring gull is a heavily built large gull with a long powerful bill, full chest and sloping forehead. Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusThe lesser black-backed gull is smaller than the European herring gull. European Herring GullLarus argentatusThe male European herring gull is 60–67 cm (24–26 in) long and weighs 1,050–1,525 g (2.315–3.362 lb), while the female is 55–62 cm (22–24 in) and weighs 710–1,100 g (1.57–2.43 lb).

Side by side: American Herring Gull vs Ring-billed Gull · Lesser Black-backed Gull vs Ring-billed Gull · European Herring Gull vs Ring-billed Gull