Learn what every symbol on the card means.Full credits and sources at beakbrain.com/symbols
Coastal413 g
ID tip
The short-billed gull has a length 40–45 cm (16–18 in) and a wingspan 100–120 cm (39–47 in). It is smaller than other gulls in the Common gull complex, with a shorter bill and longer wings. Its wings appear long and narrow in flight relative to its short body. In breeding plumage, adults have a white head, pale eyes surrounded by a red orbital skin, yellow legs and bill with no markings. In winter, the head is marked with brown mottling, the eye orbital skin becomes grayish and the bill becomes duller with a faint dark marking.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
When to see the Short-billed Gull
One bar for each month, and every month is filled: this bird is recorded here in all twelve. The wide bar is January, the month with the most records.
Where to see the Short-billed Gull
The map shades 3 countries with regular records, and 1 more in a lighter tone where the bird turns up only as a stray. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.
Recorded as a rare visitor in Hong Kong SAR China.
About the Short-billed Gull
The short-billed gull is a species of gull that breeds in northwestern North America. In North America, it was previously known as the mew gull, when it was considered conspecific with the palearctic common gull. Most authorities, including the American Ornithological Society in 2021, have split the two populations as distinct species.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Easily confused with
Kelp GullLarus dominicanusThe kelp gull superficially resembles two gulls from further north in the Atlantic Ocean, the lesser black-backed gull and the great black-backed gull, and is intermediate in size between these two species.
Iceland GullLarus glaucoidesThe Iceland gull is a medium-sized gull, although relatively slender and light in weight.
Heermann's GullLarus heermanniThis species looks distinctly different from other gulls.
Side by side: Kelp Gull vs Short-billed Gull · Iceland Gull vs Short-billed Gull · Heermann's Gull vs Short-billed Gull
Learn the Short-billed Gull in the BeakBrain App
Photo and call practice. Coming soon to iPhone and Android.
Play today's Daily BirdEvery photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.