Above: Six adult and two juvenile Ring-billed Gulls on the Wanipigow River at English Brook, 27 July 2016; photo by Peter Taylor.
How do I recognize it?
The adult Ring-billed Gull is a classic “seagull” with white head and body, light-grey back and wings, and black wingtips. Young birds have varying amounts of brownish markings that diminish with age until reaching adult plumage in their third year. Winter adults have dark-speckled heads. The species is named for the blackish band on the adult’s yellow bill, whereas young birds have a dark-tipped bill (all-dark just after fledging). Leg colour ranges from dull pink in juveniles to intense yellow in breeding adults and greenish in winter adults.
Does it migrate?
Ring-billed Gulls migrate between mostly inland breeding areas in southern Canada and the northern United States and mostly coastal wintering grounds in the southern U.S.A., northern Mexico, and the Caribbean. They are most common in Manitoba from April to October.
Above: Immature (left) and adult or near-adult Ring-billed Gulls in winter range at Savannah, Georgia, 14 March 2010; photo by Peter Taylor.
Where does it live?
While Ring-billed Gulls might be seen almost anywhere, breeding is localized in colonies, often very large ones. Inaccessible islands are preferred where available, but the gulls also adapt to mainland sites including old quarries or even flat roofs in urban areas.
Above: Ring-billed Gulls throng a nesting islet in Lac du Bonnet (lake), 7 July 2010; photo by Peter Taylor.
Where can I see it?
Ring-billed Gulls are a common sight on rivers, lakes, and farmland throughout southern Manitoba, including many resort areas. They are less common through the boreal forest, but nest as far north as the Churchill region.
Above: Adult Ring-billed Gull on the harbour wall at Gimli, 15 September 2018; photo by Peter Taylor.
Conservation Status:
The Ring-billed Gull has rebounded from unregulated shooting in the 19th century to become one of the most abundant birds in North America. So, conservation concerns centre more on other species, such as the Common Tern, that may be impacted by its abundance.
Above: Ring-billed Gulls follow cultivating equipment near Thalberg, 24 August 2017. Can you pick out a Franklin’s Gull or two in the crowd? Photo by Peter Taylor.
Did you know?
Ring-billed Gulls and other colonial water-birds commute many miles every day between nesting colonies (or roosting sites outside the nesting period) and feeding areas.
Above: There’s nothing like a good stretch! (Grand Beach, 2 October 2010); photo by Peter Taylor.