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."
Googled "seagulls in chicago" and found your little guy is a ring-billed gull.
ReplyDeleteTMI 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.
ReplyDelete