Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...
A photo of a Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)
Ring-billed Gull

Ring-billed Gull

Larus delawarensis

The Ring-billed Gull, Larus delawarensis, is a medium-sized gull with a distinctive dark ring encircling its yellow bill. The species exhibits a white head, neck, and underparts, while the back and wings are a sleek silver gray. The legs are a bright yellow, complementing the yellow eyes surrounded by red rims. This bird undergoes a transformation over three years to attain its breeding plumage, with each annual moult altering its appearance.

Identification Tips

Adult Ring-billed Gulls are recognized by their yellow bill with a black ring, a feature from which they derive their name. They measure between 16.9–21.3 inches in length, with a wingspan ranging from 41.3–46.1 inches, and weigh approximately 10.6–24.7 ounces. Observers should note the changes in plumage through the seasons, as juveniles and non-breeding adults will present different markings compared to breeding adults.

Habitat

These gulls favor habitats near bodies of water, such as lakes, rivers, and coastal regions in Canada and the northern United States. They are known to nest colonially on the ground, often on islands, displaying a strong site fidelity year after year.

Distribution

Ring-billed Gulls are commonly found across North America, particularly in American and Canadian parking lots where they gather in large numbers. They are migratory birds, retreating southward to the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of North America, and the Great Lakes during the colder months.

Behaviour

The Ring-billed Gull is a sociable bird, often seen in large flocks. It has a reputation for being somewhat of a kleptoparasite, stealing food from other birds, and is also known to scavenge with gusto. These gulls are not shy of human presence and will readily approach areas where food is available.

Song & Calls

The vocalizations of the Ring-billed Gull include a variety of calls that can be heard over the clamor of their flocks, particularly in their communal nesting sites and feeding grounds.

Breeding

These gulls are monogamous during the breeding season and exhibit strong nest site fidelity. They nest in colonies, often returning to the same location annually, though not necessarily with the same mate.

Similar Species

The Ring-billed Gull can be confused with other gull species, but its yellow bill with a black ring, along with its size and leg color, help distinguish it from its relatives.

Diet and Feeding

An omnivorous bird, the Ring-billed Gull's diet is quite varied, including insects, fish, grain, eggs, earthworms, and rodents. They are opportunistic feeders, often seen foraging in flight or picking up food while swimming, walking, or wading. They have adapted well to human environments, where they can be seen taking advantage of discarded or unattended food.

Conservation status

Once hunted for their plumage in the late 19th century, the Ring-billed Gull has since made a remarkable recovery. It is now considered the most common gull in North America, with an estimated population of 2.55 million birds as of 2006, and is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN.

Ring-billed Gull Sounds


Recorded by: © 
App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Ring-billed Gull Fun Facts

Did you know?
Most Ring-billed Gulls return to the place their were born to breed.

Ring-billed Gulls on Birda

Sightings

More Gulls, Terns, Skimmers

Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Jake W
Great app
I use this app all the time as it’s quick and easy to log individual sightings or whole birding sessions. It’s an excellent way to meet new people and the forum is full of really friendly people. The challenges are a great way to get involved and learn more about birds. Cannot recommend it enough!
Erna M
I really like Birda
I really like Birda. I also use other birding apps and have Birda with E-bird going at the same time.
Leonie
We've been waiting for an App like this
Excellent! We've been waiting for an app like this! Thank you! It would be nice if you could assign additional birds to sessions later!
Patricia L
Very encouraging birding app
Easy to use, fun to see progress and encouraging to receive feedback from other users.
Safira V
Birding and wellbeing app
Birda is an excellent platform to share your love of Birding and is a great tool of encouragement for a Birding Beginner like me. Birda has a very kind and supportive community of Birding enthusiasts. For me BIRDA is not only a BIRDING but also a WELLBEING App.
Nedz53
Really useful
Downloaded to give it a try, everything worked perfectly, recorded my first bird watching walk. Very impressed. Have already recommended to friends!
SW H
Wonderful App
Birda is my go to app for keeping records of my bird sightings and sessions. It has fantastic information which is great at aiding identification. With all the updates that are coming in the new year, this app is something special.
Marlster24
Very Wholesome App
Joined this app with a new interest in watching birds to help me find out what I was spotting. The community is very active in helping identify birds which is great and everyone is very kind so it’s just a nice wholesome community. I would definitely recommend this for any bird spotter 😄
Stewart W
Fantastic to be involved
Fantastic to be involved, great for mental health and gets you responding with the Challenges that are to takd part in.
Madstherangers
A mordern game changer
Birda is an awesome app, its updated the world of birding to the modern day with a fun and easy to use app. It’s engaging and allows positive interaction with fellow bird lovers!
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.