09/27/2026
BIRD OF THE WEEK – RING-BILLED GULL
Ring-billed Gulls are the most common gull in the Lethbridge area. They can be found almost anywhere in mall parking lots, dumps, fast food parking lots, Henderson Lake, Nicholas Sheran Lake, along the Oldman River, freshly turned fields and on streetlights around the city. A lot of people refer to them as “sea gulls” but many of these gulls may never have been to sea. They nest on open beaches, shorelines and islands, often in colonies. Ring-billed Gulls arrive in our area anytime from early to mid-March. They are one of the earliest returning migrants and a true harbinger of Spring. Some will stay until late November or until frigid weather sends them to warmer climates south. Mature Ring-billed Gulls can be identified by their yellow bills with a black ring near the tip, a pale or yellow eye, yellow legs, light gray back and (white head during breeding season). They are often confused with the California Gull which is larger, has dark eyes with a red and black mark at the tip of their bottom bill. Herring Gulls have pink legs and feet, a pale eye but no black on their bill, just a red spot at the tip of their bottom bill. They are also larger than Ring-billed Gulls and are not that common to our area. Ring-billed Gulls can eat almost anything and are expert scavengers. Did you know a group of them is called a colony of gulls? Do you have any gull stories or pictures to share? If any are flying overhead, be careful when you look up.
#BirdOfTheWeek #HSNC
