Enjoy the beautiful wings of flight.
Some of these colored beauties were spotted at the local zoo while the rest were spotted in their natural environment.
Ringed Bill Gull (Photographed in Charlotte,NC,USA):
A familiar parking lot gull, the Ring-billed Gull breeds primarily inland in North America. It can be found along the coasts, but many of these "seagulls" never see anything except fresh water all their lives.
Description:
Medium-sized gull.
Yellow bill with black ring near the tip.
Head and underparts white.
Back light gray.
Wingtips black with white spots.
Legs yellow.
Size: 43-54 cm (17-21 in)
Wingspan: 105-117 cm (41-46 in)
Weight: 300-700 g (10.59-24.71 ounces)
Conservation Status:
Hunting for the millinery trade nearly extirpated it from parts of range in 1800s. Now common and widespread, and is expanding its breeding range.
Cool Facts :
>> Young Ring-billed Gulls tested at only two days of age showed a preference for magnetic bearings that would take them in the appropriate direction for their fall migration.
>> Many, if not most, Ring-billed Gulls return to breed at the colony where they hatched. Once they have bred, they are likely to return to the same breeding spot each year, often nesting within a few meters of the last year's nest site. Many individuals return to the same wintering sites each winter too.
>> Although it is considered a typical large white-headed gull, the Ring-billed Gull has been known to hybridize only with smaller, black-headed species, such as Franklin's, Black-headed, and Laughing gulls.
Ringed Bill Gull (Photographed in Charlotte,NC,USA):
A familiar parking lot gull, the Ring-billed Gull breeds primarily inland in North America. It can be found along the coasts, but many of these "seagulls" never see anything except fresh water all their lives.
Description:
Medium-sized gull.
Yellow bill with black ring near the tip.
Head and underparts white.
Back light gray.
Wingtips black with white spots.
Legs yellow.
Size: 43-54 cm (17-21 in)
Wingspan: 105-117 cm (41-46 in)
Weight: 300-700 g (10.59-24.71 ounces)
Conservation Status:
Hunting for the millinery trade nearly extirpated it from parts of range in 1800s. Now common and widespread, and is expanding its breeding range.
Cool Facts :
>> Young Ring-billed Gulls tested at only two days of age showed a preference for magnetic bearings that would take them in the appropriate direction for their fall migration.
>> Many, if not most, Ring-billed Gulls return to breed at the colony where they hatched. Once they have bred, they are likely to return to the same breeding spot each year, often nesting within a few meters of the last year's nest site. Many individuals return to the same wintering sites each winter too.
>> Although it is considered a typical large white-headed gull, the Ring-billed Gull has been known to hybridize only with smaller, black-headed species, such as Franklin's, Black-headed, and Laughing gulls.
Sizes: S ·
Medium ·
L |
Your preferred size: S ·
M ·
L ·
O
Camera: Canon (Canon Eos Digital Rebel) |
Original size: 3072px x 2048px |
Current: 600px x 400px |