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Gulls in the USA (1 Viewer)

Victor Soares

Well-known member
While I have been to the USA a few times I have never really done any proper birding and as such have pretty much ignored all the gulls.

However, I recently returned from Wisconsin and Chicago and had a chance to see and photograph some gulls. Could you please help with ID on these please:

I am thinking that there is at least three gulls here - Herring, Ring-billed and Bonaparte's but would please ask that you let me know things like, 1st summer, 1st winter, juvenile, etc. Here's what I think but am probably totally wrong, but here is my guess:
#1 - Ring-billed (1st S or 1st W) ?
#2 - Bonaparte's (most adults but some juveniles) ?
#3 - Herring (juvenile or 1st/2nd S)
#4 - Ring-billed or Herring?
#5 - Ring-billed or Herring? or other gulls ?

Thanks in advance
 

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Hi Victor,

1 - Ring-billed Gull - 1st winter
2 - Bonaparte's Gulls
3 - Herring Gulls - 2nd winter
4 - Ring-billed Gulls - 1st winter
5 - Left is 2nd winter Herring Gull, right is post 1st winter Ring-billed Gull (getting closer to adult plumage). Note the very pink legs, larger size, and larger bill proportions of the Herring Gull.

Cheers,
Conor
 
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