Day 25: Ring-billed Gull

The Ring-billed Gull is probably the most common gull in North America. They're common along the Maryland coast during the winter and frequent beaches, dumps, and parking lots where they can scavenge for food. In some areas, they are considered more of a pest.

During the breeding season, they stay tend to stay more inland, near rivers or lakes in Canada and the northern U.S. In the winter, they migrate south to the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic, or the Pacific coasts.

An adult Ring-billed Gull has a white head, neck, and underparts, as well as a short yellow bill with a dark ring. Its back and wings are light gray, and its legs are yellow. It takes three years for the Ring-billed Gull to reach its full breeding plumage, and its appearance changes with each fall molt.

Fun fact: Ring-billed Gull populations were nearly destroyed in the late 19th century, due to hunting and human development. They have significantly rebounded since then, with an estimated 3-4 million birds in North America today.