Heermann's Gull Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesHeermann's Gull
Breeding adult
Medium-sized bulky gull. Breeding birds are uniquely marked with a dark gray body, a white head, and a red black-tipped bill.
© Andrew Spencer / Macaulay LibraryBaja California, January 09, 2021Nonbreeding adult
Nonbreeding adults are gray overall with a darker gray back and a red bill with a black tip.
© Christoph Moning / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, August 25, 2012Breeding adult with Sanderling
During the nonbreeding season, Heerman's Gulls typically hunt offshore for schooling fish or loaf on beaches, rocky shorelines, or estuaries.
© Brian Sullivan / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, December 25, 2011Third winter
Medium-sized gray gull unlike any other gull. Nonbreeding birds have a red bill with a black tip.
© Christoph Moning / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, March 14, 2010Second winter
Second winter gulls are smooth brown overall with a bicolored bill.
© Marc North / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, January 29, 2015Juvenile
Juveniles have a sooty-brown head and a scalloped looking back. Note heavy bicolored bill.
© Blake Matheson / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, July 10, 2017Breeding adult
Smooth gray overall with a white head, gray rump, and black tail.
© Christoph Moning / Macaulay LibraryBaja California, March 07, 2010First winter
First winter birds are dark brown overall.
© Blake Matheson / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, October 01, 2017Habitat
Found along beaches, coastal estuaries, harbors, and lagoons. Migrates north, spending the winters along the West coast.
© Adam Jackson / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, September 09, 2017Similar SpeciesParasitic Jaeger
Juvenile dark morph
Immature Heermann's Gulls are sometimes mistaken for Jaegers, but Parasitic Jaegers have longer pointer wings with white flashes under the wing.
© Chris Wood / Macaulay LibraryWisconsin, September 17, 2016Similar SpeciesPomarine Jaeger
Immature dark morph
Pomarine Jaegers are dark like immature Heermann's Gulls, but they have pointer wings and white flashes under the wing that Heermann's Gulls don't have.
© Ryan Schain / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, July 21, 2012
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