The American herring gull, with its distinctive appearance, wide habitat range, diverse diet, and particular nesting habits, is a fascinating bird that exemplifies adaptability and resilience. Whether observed on coastal cliffs, inland lakes, or urban dumpsters, this gull demonstrates a remarkable ability to thrive in various environments. Its presence across North America and its role in the ecosystem underscores the importance of understanding and appreciating this adaptable and widespread bird species.
Smithsonian/American Herring Gull: Profile, Traits, Facts, Range
The American herring gull, also known by the name Smithsonian gull, boasts the scientific designation Larus smithsonianus or sometimes Larus argentatus smithsonianus. This bird is a substantial species of gull that primarily breeds across the expanse of North America. The American Ornithologists’ Union treats it as a subspecies of the more broadly recognized herring gull, Larus argentatus. Notable for its size and robust nature, this gull plays a significant role in its ecosystem, reflecting its adaptability and wide-ranging presence across the continent.
Distinctive Physical Characteristics
The adult American herring gull presents a striking appearance with its white plumage contrasted by a grey back and wings. The wings feature distinctive black wingtips adorned with white spots, creating a vivid pattern that makes identification easier. The legs are a notable pink hue, adding to its unique look. In contrast, the immature American herring gull displays a gray-brown coloration that is markedly darker and more uniform compared to their European counterparts. The young gulls also possess a darker tail, which helps differentiate them during their developmental stages.
Habitat and Distribution
This gull is remarkably versatile in its habitat choices, thriving in diverse environments such as coasts, lakes, rivers, and even garbage dumps. The adaptability of the American herring gull to various habitats is a testament to its opportunistic nature and ability to find food and shelter in numerous settings. Whether soaring above the ocean waves, scavenging along lake shores, or foraging in urban refuse sites, these gulls are a common sight, illustrating their widespread distribution and ecological success.
Varied Diet
The American herring gull has a broad and eclectic diet, consuming a range of invertebrates and fish, along with many other items it encounters. This dietary flexibility allows the gull to thrive in various environments, ensuring it can sustain itself regardless of the season or location. From plucking fish from the water to scavenging human waste, its feeding habits reflect both opportunism and resourcefulness. This varied diet is crucial for its survival and reproductive success, making it a resilient species in changing environments.
Nesting and Reproduction
Typically, an American herring gull will nest near water, constructing its nest as a simple scrape on the ground. The nest is usually situated in a relatively safe and secluded area to protect the eggs from predators. The female lays around three eggs, which are incubated by both parents. The nesting sites are often chosen for their proximity to food sources and safety from potential threats. The commitment of both parents to the care of their eggs and young is a key factor in the survival of the chicks, highlighting the importance of their nesting habits.
Post-Juvenile Plumage Transition
During the post-juvenile molt of body feathers, first-winter smithsonianus undergo a significant change in their plumage. One notable transformation is the acquisition of plain, slate-grey feathers on the breast-sides and flanks, which gradually extends to the rest of the underparts.
This change in coloration contrasts starkly with their previous plumage, contributing to their overall appearance as they transition into adulthood. In contrast, European Herring Gulls undergoing the same molt exhibit a more subtle contrast between their old, brownish feathers and the new, greyish ones, likely due to their naturally more mottled underparts.
Breeding Adult Plumage
Breeding adults of the American herring gull display distinctive plumage characteristics. They feature a white head, rump, tail, and underparts, creating a striking contrast with their pale grey back and upper wings. The wingtips are adorned with black markings interspersed with white spots, often referred to as “mirrors,” while the trailing edge of the wing is marked with white. Beneath, the underwing appears greyish, with dark tips on the outer primary feathers, contributing to the bird’s overall appearance in flight.
Leg, Feet, Bill, and Eye Coloration
The American herring gull exhibits specific coloration in its legs, feet, bill, and eyes. Typically, the legs and feet are pink, though they may sometimes display a bluish tinge or, infrequently, appear yellow. The bill of the American herring gull is distinctive, being yellow with a crimson spot on the lower mandible, adding a splash of color to its appearance. The eyes of the bird are bright, ranging from pale to medium yellow, often encircled by a bare yellow or orange ring. During the winter months, the head and neck may become streaked with brown, adding further variation to its appearance.
First-Winter Plumage
First-winter American herring gulls typically exhibit a predominantly gray-brown coloration. They have a dark tail and a brown rump adorned with dark bars. Their outer primaries are dark, contrasting with the paler inner primaries. Additionally, they possess dark eyes and a dark bill, which may develop a lighter base as the winter progresses. Often, the head appears slightly paler than the body, adding to the overall variability of their appearance during this stage.
Second-Winter Plumage
By the second winter, American herring gulls begin to undergo noticeable changes in their plumage. Their eyes may lighten, and their bills start to show signs of transition, featuring a pale base with a black tip. The head also tends to lighten in color, further distinguishing them from their first-winter counterparts. Additionally, hints of gray feathers begin to emerge on the back, marking the gradual progression towards adult plumage.
Third-Winter Plumage
Third-winter American herring gulls are closer in appearance to adults but still retain some remnants of their juvenile plumage. While the black coloration on the bill may diminish, traces of it can still be present. Similarly, patches of brown may persist on the body and wings, indicating ongoing maturation. Notably, a black band on the tail becomes visible in American herring gulls of this age, serving as a distinctive feature during identification.
Vocalizations
The American herring gull may lack a melodic tune, but it compensates with a diverse array of cries and calls. Among these, the “long call” stands out, characterized by a series of notes accompanied by a distinctive dipping and raising motion of the head. Another notable vocalization is the “choking call,” typically heard during courtship displays or territorial disputes. Additionally, juvenile birds emit high-pitched plaintive cries, signaling their need for feeding from a parent. They may also produce a clicking distress call when a parent abruptly departs, expressing their anxiety or distress.
Pale-headed Appearance
In late winter, many smithsonianus individuals develop a pale head, primarily due to wear and tear. This feature, particularly against their dark body, can make them stand out within a flock of European Herring Gulls. However, while this characteristic has been highlighted, it is essential to note that only a small percentage of smithsonianus birds exhibit a pale head. Moreover, darker-bodied European birds may occasionally appear pale-headed for similar reasons. Interestingly, European Herring Gulls from the eastern Baltic region often display a strikingly pale-headed appearance during winter.
Scapular Patterns
The scapular markings of first-winter birds pose a challenge in identification due to the extensive individual variation exhibited by both smithsonianus and European Herring Gulls. This variation, combined with the overlapping nature of their patterns, complicates the identification of unique patterns. Consequently, distinguishing between the two subspecies based solely on scapular markings becomes exceedingly difficult. The wide range of variations within this feature underscores the complexity of gull plumage and the nuances involved in species differentiation.
Distinctive Scapular Patterns in Smithsonianus
While both smithsonianus and European Herring Gulls display characteristic scapular patterns, there are certain patterns that are more commonly observed in the former. It’s crucial to differentiate between the typically retained juvenile scapulars, which are often plain, brownish, and somewhat worn with pointed tips, and the freshly molted first-winter feathers, which have broader, more rounded tips.
Characteristic Patterns
Among smithsonianus, the most distinctive scapular patterns, usually observed among the larger rearmost and lower rows of feathers, are moderately dark and plain, with or without a diffuse darker center. These patterns stand out due to their consistent appearance and unique markings, contributing to the overall identification of smithsonianus individuals.
Variation in Scapular Patterns
One notable aspect of scapular patterns in smithsonianus is the variability observed within individual birds. This variability is attributed, in part, to the post-juvenile molt process, which can be a relatively prolonged affair. As a result, a single bird may exhibit a variety of scapular patterns, reflecting the timing and progression of its molt. This contrasts with European Herring Gulls, where the pattern of first-winter scapulars tends to be more consistent, with each feather displaying similar markings.
Consistency in European Herring Gulls
In contrast to the variability observed in smithsonianus, most European Herring Gulls display a relatively consistent pattern in their first-winter scapulars. Each feather typically exhibits similar markings, creating a series of regular transverse pale and dark bars. This consistency in pattern contributes to the overall uniformity observed in European Herring Gulls, making them distinguishable from their American counterparts.
Underwing-Coverts
One striking characteristic in smithsonianus is the uniformity of the axillaries and underwing-coverts, often exhibiting a “smoky” appearance without apparent patterning. In contrast, argentatus and argenteus typically display paler tones and more mottled textures in these areas. While the underwing-coverts of graellsii may resemble those of smithsonianus, several other differences usually prevent serious confusion between the two subspecies.
Bill Pattern
Both smithsonianus and argentatus tend to develop a pale base to the bill relatively early in their first winter, resembling first-year Glaucous Gulls to some extent. However, in argenteus, the contrast in bill pattern tends to be more subdued until later in the winter.
Adult European Herring Gulls
Adult European herring gulls closely resemble American herring gulls, with the subspecies L. a. argenteus being smaller than many American birds, while those of the northern subspecies L. a. argentatus are typically darker grey above. Notably, European birds lack the long grey tongues on the sixth, seventh, and eighth primaries and solid black markings on the fifth and sixth primaries, which are characteristic of American Herring Gulls.
First-Winter European Birds
First-winter European birds exhibit more checkered upperparts, streaked underparts, and a paler rump and base to the tail compared to their American counterparts. These differences contribute to the overall distinction between European and American Herring Gulls at various stages of development.
Breeding Distribution
The American herring gull’s breeding range spans the northern part of North America, extending from central and southern Alaska to the Great Lakes and the northeast coast of the US from Maine south to North Carolina. It breeds across most of Canada, excluding the southwest and Arctic regions. Nesting sites are typically found near water bodies, including coasts, islands, and cliffs, with some birds also nesting on rooftops in urban areas.
Year-Round Distribution
While the American herring gull is present year-round in southern Alaska, the Great Lakes, and the northeast USA, most individuals migrate southward for the winter, extending as far as Mexico. Some birds also reach Hawaii, Central America, and the West Indies during this time. Vagrants have been recorded in Colombia and Venezuela, with occasional sightings reported in Ecuador and Peru.
European Records
The first European record of an American herring gull dates back to 1937 when a bird ringed in New Brunswick was caught on a ship in Spanish waters. Since 1990, numerous sightings have been reported from Western Europe, with the first British record occurring in 1994 in Cheshire. These records indicate occasional occurrences of American herring gulls venturing beyond their typical range.
Habitat and Feeding Behavior
American herring gulls are adaptable in their choice of habitat for both nesting and feeding. They typically nest in colonies near water bodies but can also be found nesting on rooftops in urban areas. They feed at sea and on various terrestrial habitats, including beaches, mudflats, lakes, rivers, fields, and refuse dumps. After feeding, they often roost in open areas near their feeding sites, demonstrating their opportunistic feeding behavior and ability to exploit diverse food sources.
Status
The American herring gull species grew to become fairly uncommon through the 19th century when it was hunted for its eggs and feathers. From the 1930s to the 1960s, it was quickly attributable to safety from searching, elevated waste from fisheries to feed on, and fewer competitors for small fish and invertebrates as people diminished the populations of enormous fish, whales, and pinnipeds (seals). The numbers of the American herring gull leveled off through the 1970s and 80s and should now be declining in some areas.
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