Afternoon View - A Gull
Since Chicago is hundreds of miles from the nearest ocean, this pretty fellow cannot be a sea gull.
Is there such a thing as a lake gull?
posted by Br. Jonathan @ 8/14/2011
2 Comments
I Laugh, Therefore, I AM
A humorous view of politics, religion, human behavior, and insights toward everyday happenings by a single guy living in downtown Chicago.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
2 Comments:
Googled "seagulls in chicago" and found your little guy is a ring-billed gull.
TMI on ring-billed gulls because I'm geeky and feel compelled to disseminate arcane information:
"General Information:
The term gull refers to a group of 23 North American species belonging to the family Laridae. In the Great Lakes region, including Chicago and Milwaukee, the most common sea gull species is the ring-billed gull, which, along with the herring gull, is also one of the most widespread and abundant species across all of North America. The ring-billed gull population has been increasing steadily in recent history with the North American population estimated at 3-4 million. The breeding population in Chicago, discovered and estimated at less than 1000 individuals in 1975, has since grown to well over 100,000 individuals, and is continuing to increase at a rapid rate.
Appearance:
The ring-billed gull is a medium sized gull with a light gray back and upper wings, and white under parts and yellow legs. It’s most distinguishing characteristic is a distinct black band around a yellow bill. Ring-billed gulls are considered “three year birds” meaning they don’t attain the described adult plumage until their third year, going through various mottled brown plumages in the process."
Source:
http://www.wildgoosechasers.com/gulls/gullinfo.php
We see these in Tennessee, too. Usually around trash dumpsters and WalMart parking lots.
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