Larus delawarensis

(Ord, 1815)

Vernacular names
English : Ring-billed gull
French : Goéland à bec cerclé

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Charadriiformes
Family : Laridae
Notes : No subspecies known

Identification
Medium-large gull species reaching 54 cm in length for a weight of 590 g. Very clear plumage, mostly snowy white, becoming light grey on wings. Black flight feathers and undertail. Bright yellow legs and bill with dark ring near bill tip.

Range and habitat
The species breeds in far southern Canada and most of north USA. Winters in coastal areas of USA, Central-and South USA, south to the Caribbean and Mexico. Lives in freshwater lakes, flooded plains and estuaries.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species is common to abundant throughout its range. Local declines are noted because of habitat loss. Huge decline back in XIXth Century.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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