Bonaparte's Gull

33 cm (13") Common. Summers in northern coniferous forests, winters on coasts, inshore waters, lakes, rivers, reservoirs. Pigeon-sized gull. Buoyant, tern-like flight shows flashy white wing tips. Black head, with broken white eye-ring; small black bill; white underparts and tail; gray mantle, with bold white wedge on upper wings, underside of wings pale; red legs.

Winter adult similar, but head white with small dark spot behind eye.

Song: tern-like "cheer".

Videos

Images

Credit: Len Blumin

Credit: Larry Bond

Credit: Larry Bond

Credit: Maggie.Smith

Credit: Alan Vernon

Credit: Alan Vernon

Credit: Daniel Arndt

Credit: Laura Gooch

Distribution Maps

Bonaparte's Gull distribution map

Bonaparte's Gull winter distribution map