Red-legged Kittiwake Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesRed-legged Kittiwake
Adult
A small, cliff-nesting gull that breeds only in the Bering Sea. Adult has dark gray upperparts, a short yellow bill, and bright red legs.
© Luke Seitz / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, September 03, 2018Adult
At rest, note the short legs, short bill, large eye, rounded head, and long wingtips extending well beyond the short tail.
© Wolfe R / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, July 27, 2018Adult
A small, short-legged gull. Nests on steep cliffs on a handful of remote islands in the Bering Sea.
© Luis Gles / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, June 26, 2023Immature
Immature has orange-red legs, a greenish-yellow bill, and a blackish ear spot.
© Ryan O'Donnell / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, July 14, 2012Adult
In flight, note all-black wingtips bordered on the underwing by gray outer primaries.
© Sam Woods/Tropical Birding Tours / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, June 21, 2018Adult
Adult has a stubby yellow bill, short red legs, and dark gray upperparts.
© Martin Kennewell / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, May 29, 2016Immature
Immature has an all-white tail, unlike other immature gulls, and a large white triangle on the upperwings.
© Scott Schuette / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, June 07, 2016Immature
First-year immature has a black bill, black neck collar, white tail, grayish underwings, and broad white trailing edge to the wing.
© Ryan O'Donnell / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, August 27, 2012Adult
Flies strongly on rapid wingbeats. As these birds land, note the all-black wingtips and gray primaries on the underwings.
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, June 01, 2002Adult (with Black-legged Kittiwakes)
Smaller than Black-legged Kittiwake, with shorter legs, a shorter bill, and darker gray upperparts.
© Liam Singh / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, May 24, 2016Adult (with Black-legged Kittiwakes)
Breeds in mixed-species colonies with Black-legged Kittiwake and other seabirds.
© Guy Lemelin / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, July 13, 2008Similar SpeciesBlack-legged Kittiwake
Adult
Adult Black-legged Kittiwake is larger than Red-legged Kittiwake, with lighter gray upperparts, a longer bill, and black legs.
© Shawn Billerman / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, May 18, 2012Similar SpeciesBlack-legged Kittiwake
Adult
Black-legged Kittiwake has whiter underwings than Red-legged Kittiwake.
© Ryan O'Donnell / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, June 07, 2012Similar SpeciesBlack-legged Kittiwake
Immature
Immature Black-legged Kittiwake has an extensive blackish “M” pattern on the wings and a black band on the tip of the tail.
© Michael Stubblefield / Macaulay LibraryKamchatka Krai, June 30, 2017Similar SpeciesSabine's Gull
Immature
Immature Sabine’s Gull has a more clearly defined white wing triangle, brownish back, dusky head, and black band on the tail.
© Raphaël Nussbaumer / Macaulay LibraryVaud, September 26, 2017Compare with Similar Species
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Species in This Family
Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers(Order: Charadriiformes, Family: Laridae)
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