Marsh Bird of the Month --- Ring-billed Gull

Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) - (17.5" in length, 48" wingspan, 1.1 lbs - males average larger) Our most common gull. The Ring-billed Gull is found near any type of water, as well as parking lots, parks and restaurants. This is the second smallest white-headed gull (after the Mew Gull) in North America. Its voice is high and hoarse with a wheezy, scratchy quality to it. The 'long call' is level and rather slow. Flight call is a high, thin 'keeel!'.

The Ring-billed Gull is common both in and out of the breeding season. It has a potential lifespan of 32 years and is a short distance migrant, returning to the Hullett area around March 30th of each year. Found near islands, lakes, ponds and rivers, this gull utilizes a territory size of 0.0004 hectares...not much as these gulls are colonial in nature.

Click here for range map. - Listen to its call.

Many of these 'seagulls' never see the sea, living all of their lives on freshwater. The Ring-billed Gull is a 'two-year gull', that gains its adult plummage in 2 years time. Diet consists of fish, insects, earthworms, grain and even garbage. Ring-billed Gulls forage while walking on land, but also dip for food on the water's surface, skim shallow water for small fish or can be found hawking flying insects.

This species breeds mainly on inland lakes, on small islets or rocks, and sometimes in floating vegetation in marsh areas near lakesides. They nest on the ground, usually on higher points. Nests are often in the open but are sometimes protected by rocks or shrubs. In colonies, they nest close together, at times with other water birds. The nest itself is a hollow lined with a variable amount of material (it is often sparse) consisting of: dead plant material, green weeds, feathers and any available rubbish. On rocky sites, a pad of material a few inches thick is set up. Nests are built by both sexes.

Ring-billed Gull nestlings are semi-prococial and downy and are tended by both parents. They can swim at an early age and are fed until they are able to fly at around 35 days of age. Gulls as young as 2 days old have been tested and show a preference for magnetic bearings that would take them in the appropriate direction for fall migration!

Many Ring-billed Gulls return to breed at the colony where they've hatched. Gulls return to the same breeding spot each year and nest within meters of their last year's nest site. They choose the same wintering sites year after year as well. This species of Gull is known to only hybridize with smaller black headed gulls such as the Franklin's, Black-headed, and Laughing Gulls.

Look for the Ring-billed Gull this fall at the Hullett P.W.A. See our Duck of the Week feature, here.