Ring-billed Gull

Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) is in the Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers family (Laridae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 111,307 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in January.

Seasonal pattern in the national data: seasonal. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.

When to photograph Ring-billed Gull: observations by month (U.S.)

About Ring-billed Gull

The ring-billed gull (Larus delawarensis) is a medium-sized gull. The genus name is from Latin Larus which appears to have referred to a gull or other large seabird. The specific delawarensis refers to the Delaware River.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.

Ring-billed Gull by state

Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.

Related birds (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)

Laughing GullLeucophaeus atricilla

Western GullLarus occidentalis

American Herring GullLarus smithsonianus

Royal TernThalasseus maximus

Forster's TernSterna forsteri

California GullLarus californicus

Caspian TernHydroprogne caspia

Heermann's GullLarus heermanni

Photography tips

• Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
• Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
• Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
• Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.

FAQ