- Larus thayeri
Photo taken: Nimbus Fish Hatchery, Folsom, California.
3rd winter bird.A four year gull.
Identification
About the size of an American Herring Gull or slightly smaller. Usually with a smaller bill, smaller, more rounded head, and slightly plumper body than Herring Gull. Eyes are dark during breeding, but may lighten during the winter when dull honey-coloured eyes with variable dark flecking is more typical. ~10% can have clear yellow irises. Leg colour bright pink, brighter on average then Herring Gull. Mantle colour is pale grey, slightly darker than American Herring Gull and clearly darker than Kumlien's Gull.
Distribution
North America; breeds in the Arctic islands of Canada and winters on the Pacific coast, from southern Alaska to the Gulf of California. Rare to the Great Lakes and along the northern Atlantic Coast.
Taxonomy
Habitat
Tundra.
Behaviour
They lay 3 bluish or greenish eggs in nests lined with grass, moss or lichens.
