Birds of North America

Gulls

Larus, Pagophila, Rhodostethia & Xema

Lives, Habitats & Pictures of Gulls

There are a least twenty-eight species of gulls seen in North America. Of this number, these birds are fairly well distributed throughout the continent, along the coast lines and at sea. Although, gulls are referred to as seagulls on a daily basis by most people, who see them or talk about them, they are only referred to as "gulls" in the birding society. Gulls are no doubt, some of the hardest birds to easily identify. The plumage of the juveniles of different species takes from three to four years, before achieving an adult plumage and some of the gull types have a non-breeding and a breeding plumage, that change through the different seasons. To make this even more challenging, gulls cross-breed with other types of gulls, forming hybrids that reflect looks and characteristics of each of the parent birds.

Originally, Gulls were only scavengers of the waters, whether this being the lakes and rivers on the continent or the oceans. Today, these same birds compete with the crows, in scavenging the city parks and food outlets. Gulls species range in size from the small Little Gull with an approx. body length of 12" and a wing span of 24", to the large Great Black-backed Gull with an approx. body length of 30" and a wing span in the mid sixties ".

Here is a list of Gulls seen in North America, native and vagrant birds included;

Return Gulls back to Seabirds

Return Gulls back to Birds of North America

Classic Collection of North American Birds

CCNAB