{"id":502,"date":"2018-09-02T18:39:56","date_gmt":"2018-09-02T18:39:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.megforward.com\/birds\/?p=502"},"modified":"2022-03-31T20:32:17","modified_gmt":"2022-03-31T20:32:17","slug":"hanging-out-at-the-waterfront-docks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.megforward.com\/birds\/index.php\/2018\/09\/02\/hanging-out-at-the-waterfront-docks\/","title":{"rendered":"Waterfront Gulls"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Gulls coexist well with us humans, hanging around our parking lots, dumps, and waterfront docks, or chasing in the wake of fishing vessels to catch fish. They are adept whether in the air, floating on the water or walking on the beach. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Laughing Gull<\/strong> (Leucophaeus atricilla<\/em>), known for its distinctive loud calls, has an obvious black hood on its head during the breeding season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In the following photographs, you can see how the hood fades away in the non-breeding parts of the years, from October through winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The three other common gull species found in coastal North Carolina have white heads — Herring Gull, Ring-billed Gull,<\/strong> and Great Black-backed Gull<\/strong>. Here is the largest of the local gulls, the Herring Gull <\/strong>(Larus argentatus<\/em>), marked by a distinct red spot on the bill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Juvenile Herring Gull<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Ring-billed Gull <\/strong>(Larus delawarensis) <\/em>is a gull of moderate size with a distinct dark area on the end of the bill. It changes during non-breeding season…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ring-Billed Gull, breeding plumage<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Ring-billed Gull, non-breeding plumage<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Waiting for Spring<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Great Black-backed Gull <\/strong>(Larus fuscus) <\/em>is large with a slate-colored back, much darker than the other gulls. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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To the sea, to the sea! The white gulls are crying; The wind is blowing, and the white foam is flying.<\/em><\/p>J. R. R. Tolkien<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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Here are posts on other waterbirds to visit:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n