General Description: Herring Gulls (Larus argentatus) are large light-colored gulls. In summer plumage, the body is entirely white with light gray on the back and mantle (top of the wings). The wingtips are black with white spots. The bill is yellow with small red spot on the lower mandible, and the legs are pink. In winter, Herring Gulls get faint brown streaks on the head.

Gulls take 2-4 years to mature. The plumage during the juvenile and subadult years differs from the adult breeding plumage, and the plumage also differs between summer and winter. Thus, there can be 7 or so different plumages for each species of gull, making identification difficult. Herring Gulls take four years to mature.

Taxonomy: Charadriiformes, Laridae, Larinae.

Favored Habitat: Herring Gulls breed in the high arctic throughout much of North America where they build ground nests on islands. They move south and to the coasts during winter, but some winter inland, particularly where human food is available.

Where to Find: Herring Gulls are uncommon in the Las Vegas area. Look for them during winter on larger bodies of water such as Lake Mead and the Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve, and also in open places like large parking lots and parks.

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