Ring-billed Gull Bird Facts (Larus delawarensis)

The Ring-billed Gull is a medium-sized gull with a white head, neck, and underparts. Its back and wings are pale gray, with black wingtips marked by white spots. The distinctive yellow bill features a black ring near the tip.

Adults have yellow legs and yellow eyes. Juveniles are drab brown with mottled patterns, gradually acquiring adult plumage over three years. Winter adults may show sparse, pale gray streaking on the head.

The Ring-billed Gull is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

The Ring-billed Gull is not typically found in Garden habitats.

The Ring-billed Gull can be found in Wetland habitats.

The Ring-billed Gull can be found in Coastal habitats.

The Ring-billed Gull can be found in Urban habitats.

The Ring-billed Gull is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

The Ring-billed Gull is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

The Ring-billed Gull is not typically found in Desert habitats.

The Ring-billed Gull is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

The Ring-billed Gull is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

The Ring-billed Gull is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

The Ring-billed Gull is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Ring-billed Gulls are widely distributed across North America, found along coasts, lakes, rivers, and in urban areas. They breed primarily in Canada and the northern United States, particularly around the Great Lakes.

During winter, they migrate to southern parts of the US, Mexico, and parts of the Caribbean. In the UK, they are occasional visitors, mainly appearing along coasts and at large inland water bodies.

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Ring-billed 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 are present in the area outside their breeding season

Belize British Virgin Islands Costa Rica US Virgin Islands

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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.

Ring-billed Gulls demonstrate excellent aerial manoeuvrability, capable of precise hovering, swift directional changes, and skilled food-snatching from water surfaces. Their ability to navigate complex urban environments and perform intricate aerial feeding techniques showcases their remarkable agility.

Strength

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

While not amongst the strongest gulls, Ring-billed Gulls possess sufficient strength to carry moderate prey items and engage in behaviours like dropping shellfish to crack them open. Their medium size (290-680g) provides adequate power for their lifestyle needs.

Adaptability

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

Exceptionally adaptable birds, thriving across diverse habitats from coastal areas to urban environments. Their opportunistic feeding behaviour, ability to process both fresh and salt water, and successful colonisation of human-modified landscapes demonstrate outstanding adaptability.

Aggressiveness

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

Whilst not overly aggressive compared to larger gull species, Ring-billed Gulls display notable assertiveness in defending nesting territories, stealing food from other birds, and raiding unattended picnics. They maintain a moderate level of aggression necessary for survival.

Endurance

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

These gulls exhibit strong endurance, undertaking significant seasonal migrations and maintaining extended periods of flight whilst foraging. Their ability to survive in various climate conditions and their relatively long lifespan (10-15 years, sometimes up to 30) reflect robust endurance capabilities.

Ring-billed Gulls have a diverse diet, including fish, insects, earthworms, rodents, and human food scraps.

They are opportunistic feeders, often seen foraging in parking lots, beaches, and agricultural fields. These gulls will also steal food from other birds and raid unattended picnics.

Ring-billed Gulls are highly adaptable and often seen in large, noisy flocks. They are skilled flyers, able to hover and snatch food from the water's surface.

These gulls are known for their opportunistic feeding behavior, often following plows in fields or scavenging in urban areas.

Ring-billed Gulls have a variety of calls. Their most common is a loud, harsh "kuk-kuk-kuk" or "kee-aw." During courtship, they produce a softer mewing sound.

When alarmed, they emit a sharp, high-pitched "kek-kek-kek." Their calls are often described as more musical than those of other gull species.

Ring-billed Gulls typically breed in large colonies on islands or near shorelines. Pair formation begins in early spring, with both sexes participating in courtship displays.

Nests are built on the ground, usually a shallow scrape lined with vegetation, feathers, and debris. Females lay 2-4 olive-brown eggs with dark splotches.

Both parents incubate the eggs for about 25 days. Chicks fledge at 5-6 weeks but may be fed by parents for several more weeks.

The Ring-billed Gull typically lives for 10 to 11 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 31.8 years.

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

Ring-billed Gulls are currently listed as Least Concern due to their large range and increasing population. However, they face threats from habitat loss, pollution, and climate change.

Conservation efforts focus on protecting nesting sites and managing urban interactions.

Look for Ring-billed Gulls near water bodies, parking lots, and urban parks
Observe their distinctive black ring on the bill for easy identification
Watch for their habit of dropping hard-shelled prey from height to crack it open
In the US and Canada, they're common near the Great Lakes and coastal areas

Main predators include large birds of prey such as Bald Eagles and Great Horned Owls, as well as foxes, raccoons, and coyotes that may raid nests.

Ring-billed Gulls can drink both fresh and salt water.
They have been known to drop clams onto hard surfaces to break them open.
Some individuals can live up to 30 years in the wild.

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Visual Identification

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Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

Bird Attributes Explained

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Understanding the Ratings:

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Adaptability

Aggressiveness

Endurance

Diet

Behaviour

Vocalisation

Nesting & Breeding

Lifespan

Conservation and Status

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