Nonbreeding adult © Ian Davies
First winter © Manuel Amaro Carvalho
First winter © Alix d'Entremont
First winter © Stanislav Cherepushkin
+ 7
First summer © Steve Kelling
Second winter © Blake Matheson
Second summer © Ian Davies
Third winter © Melissa James
First winter © Ruth Danella
First winter © Brian Sullivan

Glaucous Gull Larus hyperboreus

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Identification

POWERED BY MERLIN

Very large, pale gull. Adults are mostly white with a very pale gray back; note pure white wingtips. Immatures are white or pale tan with light brown markings; also look for the distinctive pink bill with sharply demarcated black tip. Most similar to Iceland Gull but larger, larger-billed, and usually even paler; Iceland typically shows more dark markings on wingtips. Also note shorter wingtips on Glaucous that do not extend far past tip of tail. Breeds in the High Arctic; winters farther south in a variety of habitats, rarely far from a large body of water. Often seen in small numbers mixed with flocks of other large gulls. Hybridizes with Glaucous-winged Gull and Herring Gull in parts of range; hybrids can show any mix of intermediate traits and are sometimes best left unidentified.

POWERED BY MERLIN