Breeding adult © Andrew Spencer eBird S79099546 Macaulay Library ML 303366261
Nonbreeding adult © Christoph Moning
Third winter © Christoph Moning
Second winter © Marc North
Juvenile © Blake Matheson
+ 4
Breeding adult © Christoph Moning
First winter © Blake Matheson
Habitat © Adam Jackson

Heermann's Gull Larus heermanni

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Identification

POWERED BY MERLIN

Unique smoky-gray gull with red bill. Breeding adults have a clean white head that blends seamlessly into the gray neck; nonbreeding adults have smudgy dark streaking on the head. Immatures are entirely dark brown with a yellowish or reddish bill with a dark tip. Almost exclusively coastal; usually seen in flocks loafing on beaches or feeding in nearshore waters. Breeds in Mexico mainly in the Gulf of California; migrates as far north as Washington and British Columbia in winter. Overall dark plumage of immatures might recall a dark-morph jaeger; note Heermann's lacks pale wing flashes and never shows pale mottling on the belly or underwings.

POWERED BY MERLIN