How do you identify a Short-billed Gull?

The short-billed gull has a length 40–45 cm (16–18 in) and a wingspan 100–120 cm (39–47 in). Full identification notes are on this page.

Where can you see a Short-billed Gull?

The Short-billed Gull occurs in 4 countries, including the United States, Canada, Mexico and Hong Kong SAR China.

What birds look similar to a Short-billed Gull?

The Short-billed Gull is most easily confused with the Kelp Gull, the Iceland Gull and the Heermann's Gull.

Short-billed Gull

Larus brachyrhynchus

Skimmers, Noddies, Terns, and Gulls · Charadriiformes · Common

The Short-billed Gull (Larus brachyrhynchus) is a common skimmers, noddies, terns, and gull found in 4 countries. The short-billed gull is a species of gull that breeds in northwestern North America.

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Short-billed Gull (Larus brachyrhynchus), photo 1 — Photo: TRinaud · CC BY 4.0

Short-billed Gull (Larus brachyrhynchus), photo 2 — Photo: TRinaud · CC BY 4.0

Short-billed Gull (Larus brachyrhynchus), photo 3 — Photo: TRinaud · CC BY 4.0

Short-billed Gull (Larus brachyrhynchus), photo 4 — Photo: TRinaud · CC BY 4.0

Short-billed Gull (Larus brachyrhynchus), photo 5 — Photo: TRinaud · CC BY 4.0

Short-billed Gull (Larus brachyrhynchus), photo 6 — Photo: David Menke · Public domain

Short-billed Gull (Larus brachyrhynchus), photo 7 — Photo: gailhampshire from Cradley, Malvern, U.K · CC BY 2.0

Short-billed Gull (Larus brachyrhynchus), photo 8 — Photo: unknown · Public domain

Short-billed Gull (Larus brachyrhynchus), photo 9 — Photo: Donna A. Dewhurst DI-Dewhurst, D-MEGU2 · Public domain

Short-billed Gull (Larus brachyrhynchus), photo 10 — Photo: Donna A. Dewhurst · Public domain

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.

How to identify it

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.

Where it lives

United States Canada Mexico Hong Kong SAR China

When to see it

The Short-billed Gull can be seen all year round, with peak activity in January. It is a resident species across most of its range.

Easily confused with

Quick questions

How do you identify a Short-billed Gull?: The short-billed gull has a length 40–45 cm (16–18 in) and a wingspan 100–120 cm (39–47 in). Full identification notes are on this page.
Where can you see a Short-billed Gull?: The Short-billed Gull occurs in 4 countries, including the United States, Canada, Mexico and Hong Kong SAR China.
What birds look similar to a Short-billed Gull?: The Short-billed Gull is most easily confused with the Kelp Gull, the Iceland Gull and the Heermann's Gull.

Learn the Short-billed Gull for real

BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.

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