Gull ID

Ivory Gull

Our only "whiter than snow" gull - they can fly like white jaegers made of air. Perhaps most similar structurally to Black-legged Kittiwake, the only real identification challenge is leucitic/white aberrant individuals of other gull species. Locally, white Bonaparte's Gulls are the most frequent culprit. Individuals occurring locally are sometimes sluggish / presumably unwell. 

Black-legged Kittiwake - BLKI

Generally a "pelagic" gull species. Often observed flying offshore during or after fall storms with winds originating from the north or east. Almost irruptive in nature with variable year-to-year numbers and seasonal distribution. Vast majority of records are of juveniles. 

Sabine's Gull - SAGU

A rare overland migrant from the high arctic. Small numbers of juvenile birds may be grounded on the Great Lakes from late August through September, very rarely with a breeding plumaged adult in tow. Striking wing pattern generally distinctive at great distances, which is helpful since they rarely come close to shore. 

Ross's Gull - ROGU

An almost mythically rare high arctic small gull - yet a slow but steady scattering of records occur throughout most of the fall, winter and spring. Both distinctive yet full of potential pitfalls for anyone who might be looking a little too hard. 

Little Gull - LIGU

Our smallest gull species, rare enough to excite - but regular enough to frequently enjoy, and undeniably full of charm. The striking black underwing of full adults is unique. 

Bonaparte's Gull - BOGU

The standard "small gull" locally to which all other small gulls can be compared. Globally significant numbers utilize the Great Lakes in spring and fall. 

Black-headed Gull - BHGU

A rare European vagrant, if you don't consider the small nesting population in Newfoundland. Similar in many ways to the slightly smaller Bonaparte's Gull; however, close inspection reveals many differences - not least of all, the breeding adults brownish head.

Franklin's Gull - FRGU

"Prairie Doves" could turn up in almost any month on the Great Lakes; however, there are significant "seasons" when these rare gulls are more likely to be detected. Significant year-to-year variability in numbers may be related to timing and intensity of storm systems originating along the species core migratory route in central North America. 

Laughing Gull - LAGU

The quintessential gull of saltwater beaches along the Atlantic coast. Small numbers of this locally rare gull wander into the Great Lakes annually from February through December. 

Heermann's Gull - HEEG

One of the most striking gull species in North America, it's almost hard to believe there are now several records in the Great Lakes region. Their distinctive plumages allow for vagrant individuals to be tracked from one location to the next. 

Black-tailed Gull - BTGU

Novel plumages and structure make this east Asian gull species stand out among local gull species. There are now several records in the Great Lakes, with wandering individuals tracked from one location to the next when present. 

Mew (Short-billed) Gull - MEGU / SBIG

The North American member of the recent split, this species is surprisingly rare in the Great Lakes given their proximity and migratory behaviour. Plumage and structure features seem (relatively) distinctive when compared to their old world counterparts; however, the extent of individual variation and overlap requires more study. 

Ring-billed Gull - RBGU

Our ubiquitous gull species, generally abundant except during the onset of deep winter freezing conditions. Somehow alike and unlike almost every other local gull species, it is valuable to familiarize oneself with their extensive individual variation as a stepping stone to identify uncommon and rare species. 

California Gull - CAGU

A rare but regular vagrant to the Great Lakes. Records of nearly any age class can occur at any month; however, there are peaks Mar-May and Oct-Dec.  

American Herring (Sea) Gull - AHGU

Our local standard bearer of the "four year" large white-headed gull species. Not unlike Ring-billed Gull, they are an exceptional opportunity to study the nuances of gulls including sub-populations, molt, maturation, and individual variation. Increased familiarity with this species aids in identification of all other large gull species and their hybrids.  

European Herring Gull - EHGU

A recent "split" from American Herring Gull. There are currently no accepted records from the Great Lakes region; however, our understanding of their identification criteria is poor - and a handful of high quality candidates have been photographed (such as the bird shown below). 

Vega Gull - VEGU

Another recent split from the "Herring Gull Complex". There are several local records of adults, and at least one subadult. Not unlike other rare species (e.g., SBAG) there may be returning adults that are responsible for records at multiple locations over multiple years. 

Thayer's (Iceland) Gull - THGU

The great taxonomic mess, moving from a subspecies of the American Herring Gull, into full species status, and recently to a subspecies of the Iceland Gull. They are distinctive enough that many a gull enthusiast gets great joy in the study of plumages and seasonality from this marvelous mess of a bird. 

Kumlien's (Iceland) Gull - ICGU

Iceland Gull is the current champion of "most variable gull" with the extremes of "Thayer's" Iceland Gull (above) and "Iceland" Iceland Gull (below) somehow representing a single species. The Kumlien's subspecies of Iceland Gull becomes the embodiment of that variability, at times representing almost the entire spectrum of all three forms combined. 

Iceland (Iceland) Gull - ICGU

While the Thayer's subspecies and especially the Kumlien's subspecies of Iceland Gull are given exceptional leeway for individual variation - the same is not afforded to the rare "Iceland" subspecies. Perfection is the name of the game when claiming this pale petite population hailing from breeding grounds in Greenland. There are a handful of accepted local records. 

Glaucous Gull - GLGU

The burgomaster. This pale giant of the north generally visits the Great Lakes from October through April, bringing some added excitement to a cold winter day of gull study. 

Glaucous-winged Gull - GWGU

While gulls are famous for their ability to hybridize and produce unusual plumages, the Glaucous-winged Gull is famous among gulls for its ability to push the envelope and cross with almost any other large gull species it encounters throughout its breeding range. This is an added consideration, or challenge, when potential vagrants are encountered in the Great Lakes. 

Slaty-backed Gull - SBAG

In recent decades, a few individuals of this Asian gull species almost inexplicably visit the Great Lakes every year. Finding a sharp adult is perhaps one of the most exciting birds that a local avid gull watcher might reasonably expect to encounter. 

Lesser Black-backed Gull - LBBG

A European gull species which started its invasion of North America roughly fifty years ago. Breeding is assumed to occur in western Greenland, and perhaps nearby Canadian islands, leading to an ever increasing population. Records of 100+ birds are now happening locally. 

Great Black-backed Gull - GBBG

The worlds largest gull species routinely graces the Great Lakes in fall, winter and spring. Breeding is rare and declining locally. Their immense size and sharp plumage gives this species endless charisma. 

Kelp Gull - KEGU

A significant rarity (generally) from the southern hemisphere, it is remarkable that there are now several records locally. It can be assumed that clusters over several locations and years may involve the same individual.