Above: Adult Herring Gull photo by Rudolf Koes
How do I recognize it?
American Herring Gull (hereafter Herring Gull) is the largest of the regularly-occurring gull species in southern Manitoba. It has a body length of about 50 cm and a wingspan of over a metre. Birds reach adult plumage in four years, changing over time from a medium or dark brown plumage to a white body, head and tail and pale grey wings with largely black tips. In between those age extremes is a bewildering array of plumages. Adults have pink legs, pale eyes and a large yellow beak with a red spot near the tip of the lower mandible. Besides the size difference with the smaller Ring-billed Gulls – obvious when the birds are together – adult ringbills have yellow legs and a black ring near the tip of the yellow beak.
In 2024 Herring Gull was split into American Herring Gull, European Herring Gull, Mongolian Gull and Vega Gull.
Above: A dark juvenile Herring Gull photo by Cam Nikkel
Does it migrate?
Herring Gull is one of our earliest spring migrants, often arriving in early to mid-March, with large numbers lingering into November and sometimes even into December.
Adult Herring Gull on a nest in Churchill photo by Rudolf Koes
Where does it live?
The breeding range stretches across the northern half of North America, from coast to coast. With the exception of extreme southern and southwestern Manitoba, the species breeds throughout the province. Nesting takes place on rocky islands, sandbars and reefs in larger rivers and lakes throughout the Boreal Forest and also on small lakes and ponds near the coast of Hudson Bay. In the latter area it often builds nests on isolated rocks or hummocks in water. During migration it is widespread throughout the province.
Herring Gull in the foreground with other species in the background photo by Rudolf Koes
Where can I see it?
Perhaps the easiest places to see this bird are the various landfills in southern Manitoba, such as Brady Road, Prairie Green, the Portage la Prairie (PR 227) and Brandon, or fields adjacent to these dumps. Many nest in the Churchill area. Beaches and harbours along the larger lakes are also reliable, especially in fall. Unlike Ring-billed Gull, it does not frequent shopping malls and fast food outlets.
Herring Gulls at Gimli Harbour photo by Rudolf Koes
Conservation Status:
Although still listed as Least Concern globally, the species has seen a decline of 82% since 1966, resulting in Moderate Concern status in Canada. Threats include reduced fisheries discards, pollution and strikes with wind turbines.
Did you know:
Where Herring Gulls nest together in colonies with Ring-billed Gulls and terns, the Herring Gulls occupy the highest spots, with the ringbills somewhat lower and the terns, if any, at the outer fringes.
Written by Rudolf Koes