American Herring Gull Bird Facts (Larus smithsonianus)

The American Herring Gull is a large, robust seabird with a distinctive white head and body, pale gray back and wings, and black wingtips. Its yellow bill features a red spot on the lower mandible, and it has pink legs.

Juveniles display mottled brown plumage, gradually transitioning to adult coloration over four years. Winter adults may show faint brown streaking on the head.

The American Herring Gull is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

The American Herring Gull is not typically found in Garden habitats.

The American Herring Gull can be found in Wetland habitats.

The American Herring Gull can be found in Coastal habitats.

The American Herring Gull can be found in Urban habitats.

The American Herring Gull is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

The American Herring Gull is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

The American Herring Gull is not typically found in Desert habitats.

The American Herring Gull is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

The American Herring Gull is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

The American Herring Gull is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

The American Herring Gull is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

American Herring Gulls are primarily found along the Atlantic coast of North America, from the Arctic to Florida. They also inhabit the Great Lakes region and parts of the Pacific Northwest.

During the breeding season, they prefer coastal areas and islands. In winter, many birds move south, with some remaining in northern regions where open water persists. They are common in urban areas near water bodies in the USA and Canada.

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a American Herring Gull. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year

Canada China Russia United States of America

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season

Mongolia North Korea Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range

Colombia Ecuador Jamaica Kazakhstan Northern Mariana Islands Palau Philippines United States Minor Outlying Islands Venezuela

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

Excellent aerial manoeuvrability and precision, particularly demonstrated in their ability to catch prey in mid-flight and perform complex landing manoeuvres. Their skill in dropping shellfish from heights to crack them open shows remarkable coordination.

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

Robust build with significant wingspan (120-150cm) and substantial body mass (600-1650g). Capable of carrying relatively heavy prey items and defending territory against similar-sized birds, though not as powerful as many raptors.

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Remarkably adaptable species, thriving in diverse environments from urban areas to remote coastlines. Their ability to process both fresh and salt water, coupled with opportunistic feeding habits and tool use for cracking shells, demonstrates exceptional adaptability.

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Shows considerable aggressive behaviour, particularly in food acquisition and territory defence. Known to steal food from other birds and small mammals, and vigorously defend nesting sites. However, also demonstrates complex social behaviours within their own species.

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Impressive stamina evidenced by their long-distance migration capabilities, ability to remain airborne for extended periods whilst foraging, and long lifespan (20-30 years, with records up to 49 years). Regular long-distance flights between feeding and nesting grounds showcase their endurance.

American Herring Gulls have a varied diet, including fish, mollusks, crustaceans, and insects. They also consume carrion and human food waste.

These adaptable birds are known to steal food from other birds and even small mammals, showcasing their opportunistic feeding strategy.

American Herring Gulls are opportunistic feeders, often seen following fishing boats or scavenging in urban areas. They exhibit complex social behaviors, including elaborate courtship displays and communal roosting.

These gulls are known for their ability to drop hard-shelled prey from heights to crack them open.

The American Herring Gull has a diverse vocal repertoire. Their most recognizable call is a loud, laughing 'ha-ha-ha' or 'kyow-kyow-kyow'.

They also produce a variety of mewing, yelping, and long-calling sounds, especially during breeding season and territorial disputes.

American Herring Gulls form monogamous pairs and breed annually. The breeding season typically begins in April or May, with courtship involving elaborate displays and vocalizations.

Nests are built on the ground in colonies, often on rocky shores or islands. They construct a shallow scrape lined with vegetation, feathers, and debris. Females lay 2-3 olive-colored eggs with dark splotches.

Both parents incubate the eggs for about 28 days. Chicks fledge at 6-7 weeks but may remain dependent on their parents for several more weeks.

The American Herring Gull typically lives for 20 to 30 years.

Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.

While the American Herring Gull is currently listed as Least Concern, it faces threats from habitat loss, pollution, and climate change.

Efforts to reduce plastic waste in oceans and protect coastal nesting sites are crucial for their long-term survival.

Look for large gulls with pale gray backs along coastal areas and large inland water bodies
Observe their yellow bills with red spots to distinguish them from similar species
Listen for their loud, laughing 'ha-ha-ha' calls
In the US and Canada, check garbage dumps and fishing ports where they often gather in large numbers

Main predators include large raptors such as Bald Eagles and Great Horned Owls, as well as foxes, raccoons, and minks that target eggs and chicks.

American Herring Gulls can drink both fresh and salt water thanks to special glands that remove excess salt.
They can live for over 30 years in the wild, with the oldest recorded individual reaching 49 years.
These gulls are highly intelligent and have been observed using tools to crack open mollusks.

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