The common small "seagull" in many areas, from duck ponds and farm fields to wild wetlands and seacoasts; locally occurs in flocks of hundreds, sometimes thousands. All plumages have big white blaze on leading edge of wing. Breeding adult has dark brown (not black) hood, red bill and legs; nonbreeding and immature have dark cheek spot on white head, dark tip to bill. Juvenile has mottled brownish back, which molts to pale gray by winter.