Small & Intermediate Gulls ID Practice Flashcards
Now let's practice identifying photographs of Western Canada's small and intermediate-sized gulls in their various plumages, from juvenile to adult. For every photo, the key diagnostic features are highlighted in the footnotes, while other cards put your powers of recall more directly to the test with questions that compel you to list those features without a photograph to prompt you.
What bird is this?
Bonaparte’s Gull
Breeding adult
Bonaparte’s Gull is the smallest gull species in BC. Its black head and bright pink/orange legs make it pretty easy to identify in the summer months. In winter, however, it loses its dark head leaving behind only a dark smudge next to the ear. The legs remain pink/orange.
Small size is one of the stand-out features of this gull compared with the other gulls in BC!
What bird is this?
Ring-billed Gull
Breeding adult
A combination of three features identify this adult gull:
(1) The crisp black ring around the slender yellow bill (and lack of red/orange spot)
(2) Yellow legs
(3) “Fierce” yellow eye
(4) Pale (not dark) grey mantle
(5) Black wing tips
What bird is this?
Short-billed (Mew) Gull
Previously known as the “Mew Gull”, the Short-billed is the smallest of the “white-headed” gulls found in BC. In winter, as can be seen in this picture, its head is often marked with dark smudges. Overall, look for medium-gray mantle, yellow legs, and dainty, short yellow bill without any markings.
What bird is this?
Bonaparte’s Gull
Breeding plumage
These small, dainty gulls are often seen flying offshore in loose flocks. Note the black head, orange-red legs, and black wing tips: all diagnostic of the breeding plumage of this small gull species.
What bird is this?
Short-billed Gull
The short, thin greenish-yellow bill (unmarked) is diagnostic of this gull species in BC. Also note the pale gray mantle and black wing tips with white spots.
What bird is this?
Bonaparte’s Gull
Non-breeding plumage
In winter, these gulls’ black hoods fade to white with the exception of a black dot behind the eyes. In British Columbia, Bonaparte’s Gulls are typically seen during migration in spring and fall.
Their bills also appear black at all ages and in plumages.
What bird is this?
Ring-billed Gull
Note the pale yellow eye, yellow legs, and, importantly, solid black ring around the bill. This species also has a light-gray mantle and black wingtips with white spots.
What birds are these?
Short-billed Gull
Note the diminuative yellow bill and greenish-yellow legs. Short-billed Gulls also have relatively long wings, which are noticable at rest, projecting well past the body.
What bird is this?
Ring-billed Gull
That jet black bill ring is pretty unmistakable!
Short-billed Gull
This gull is the second smallest gull species in the province with its key feature being a short, slender yellow-green bill.
What two prominent features should you look for to identify a Boneparte’s Gull in winter plumage?
- Dark smudge next to the ear
- White leading edge to the wing
Also take into account small size, dark bill, and pink-orange legs.
How many years does it take a Boneparte’s Gull to achieve full adult plumage?
One year
Boneparte’s Gulls undergo a partial molt after six months. At this point, their gray mantle will emerge but their wings may still appear brown and mottled. By the end of one year, they undergo a complete molt, revealing their full adult plumage.
Larger gull species take several years to mature.
What are some features of a juvenile Boneparte’s Gull?
- Black tail band
- Mottled brown plumage on the wing
- Black trailing edge extends completely up the wing
The brown mottling on young birds is highly variable but the black tail band is diagnostic and unique to this species.
