16 Sorts of Gulls in Alabama (With Identification Ideas)

Gulls are extra than simply seaside scavengers. With their eager eyesight, swish flight, and sometimes placing plumage, these birds have grow to be favorites for birdwatchers alongside the coast and inland waterways. Alabama, with its various habitats starting from the Gulf Coast to river techniques and reservoirs, performs host to a formidable 16 gull species. Whereas some are residents or common migrants, others are uncommon vagrants that excite even seasoned ornithologists.

On this information, we discover all 16 gull species recorded in Alabama, providing identification ideas and highlighting what makes each distinctive.

Frequent and Recurrently Seen Gulls

1. Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla)

That is probably the most recognizable gull on Alabama’s Gulf Coast, particularly throughout summer season. Named for its high-pitched, laughing-like name, the Laughing Gull is medium-sized with a particular black head in breeding season, darkish grey again, and white underparts. In winter, the black head fades to a dusky smudge.

Tip: Search for them in massive, noisy flocks round seashores, docks, and fishing piers.

2. Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)

A well-recognized sight in parking tons and landfills throughout the colder months, the Ring-billed Gull is medium-sized with a clear white head, pale grey again, and its signature black ring round a yellow invoice. Juveniles have extra mottled brown plumage.

Tip: That is typically probably the most ample gull in inland Alabama throughout winter.

3. Herring Gull (Larus argentatus)

Bigger and bulkier than most gulls, the Herring Gull has a hefty yellow invoice with a purple spot close to the tip, pale grey wings, and pink legs. Adults present a clear white head in summer season, whereas in winter they show brown streaking.

Tip: Discovered alongside each coastal and inland waterways; examine dimension to close by gulls for simpler ID.

4. Bonaparte’s Gull (Chroicocephalus philadelphia)

Small and chic, Bonaparte’s Gull has a skinny black invoice, swish flight, and placing black head throughout breeding season. In winter, it loses the darkish hood, retaining only a small darkish spot behind the attention. Its flight is buoyant and tern-like.

Tip: Search for this species throughout spring and fall migration close to lakes and huge rivers.

5. Franklin’s Gull (Leucophaeus pipixcan)

This inland gull is a deal with to identify in Alabama. It sports activities a black hood, brilliant purple invoice, and pinkish wash on the underparts throughout breeding. Its eye-catching coloration and smaller dimension make it stand out amongst different gulls.

Tip: Seen largely throughout migration, particularly after sturdy storm techniques.

6. Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus)

As soon as uncommon, this gull is changing into extra frequent in Alabama. Adults present a darkish slate-gray again, yellow legs, and a powerful yellow invoice with a purple spot. Their construct is barely sleeker than Herring Gulls.

Tip: Typically mingles with different massive gulls in winter, particularly alongside reservoirs and coastal bays.

Uncommon or Unintended Sightings

7. Nice Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus)

The biggest gull on the planet often makes its technique to Alabama. It towers over different species with its cumbersome physique, thick invoice, and jet-black upperparts. Its menacing presence dominates mixed-species flocks.

Tip: Search for it in coastal areas in winter, particularly close to harbors or jetties.

8. Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides)

A pale magnificence from the Arctic, this uncommon customer has a fragile look with gentle grey wings and almost white plumage. Lacks the black wingtips of different massive gulls. Juveniles are creamy white.

Tip: Not often seen, however typically exhibits up in winter amongst massive flocks of Herring Gulls.

9. Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus)

One other Arctic breeder, the Glaucous Gull is very large and ghostly white with pale grey mantle and unmarked white wingtips. Its heavy pink invoice tipped with black and pink legs are helpful ID options.

Tip: Look ahead to this big amongst combined gull flocks close to landfills or massive lakes in winter.

10. Glaucous-winged Gull (Larus glaucescens)

Native to the Pacific Northwest, this gull is an distinctive rarity in Alabama. It resembles the Western Gull however has smooth grey wingtips that mix into the again.

Tip: Any sighting needs to be documented, as this can be very uncommon within the Southeast.

11. California Gull (Larus californicus)

Barely smaller than Herring Gulls, with a darkish eye and a red-and-black invoice sample. The legs are greenish-yellow. It breeds within the inside West however might seem in Alabama throughout migration.

Tip: Finest recognized with cautious remark amongst combined gull flocks.

12. Little Gull (Hydrocoloeus minutus)

The smallest gull on the planet, the Little Gull is dainty and uncommon. Breeding adults have a black hood, however in winter they present a smudge behind the attention and darkish underwings that distinction with the pale physique.

Tip: Search for its fluttery flight close to massive lakes throughout migration.

13. Sabine’s Gull (Xema sabini)

This placing gull is understood for its tri-colored wings and forked tail. It breeds within the Arctic and migrates over the open ocean. Uncommon in Alabama, normally seen throughout storms or offshore excursions.

Tip: Look offshore throughout hurricanes or sturdy coastal climate techniques.

14. Black-legged Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla)

A fragile-looking gull with a small black invoice, grey again, and black legs. In flight, search for its distinctive black “M” sample throughout the wings. It breeds on sea cliffs within the North Atlantic.

Tip: Normally discovered offshore; uncommon inland sightings can happen after storms.

15. Ivory Gull (Pagophila eburnea)

This ghostly, all-white Arctic gull is likely one of the rarest birds to seem in Alabama. It has black legs and invoice and is often discovered round polar ice.

Tip: Any file of this species is extraordinary and needs to be reported to birding authorities.

16. Grey Gull (Leucophaeus modestus)

Native to the Pacific coast of South America, this gull is a real vagrant. It’s virtually by no means seen in North America, not to mention Alabama.

Tip: Any confirmed sighting can be of excessive ornithological curiosity.

The place to Watch Gulls in Alabama

Alabama’s finest gull-watching spots embrace the Gulf Shores and Dauphin Island alongside the coast, Guntersville Lake, Wheeler Nationwide Wildlife Refuge, and even city landfills and parking tons throughout winter. Flocks typically comprise a mixture of species, providing nice alternatives for side-by-side comparisons.

Conclusion

From the comical squawks of Laughing Gulls to the breathtaking rarity of Ivory Gulls, Alabama affords a surprisingly various number of gulls for birdwatchers to get pleasure from. Whether or not you’re scanning the surf at Gulf Shores or finding out flocks at an inland reservoir, every gull species tells a narrative of migration, adaptation, and ecological surprise.

Mastering gull identification takes time, however with endurance, observe, and a great area information, you’ll begin noticing refined options—leg shade, wing form, invoice markings—that unlock the secrets and techniques of those fascinating birds. Maintain your binoculars helpful year-round, particularly in winter, when combined flocks can maintain surprises.

In case you’re able to take your birding to the subsequent stage, begin a gull journal, be part of an area birding group, or contribute your sightings to eBird. The extra you watch, the extra you’ll uncover that Alabama’s gulls are something however extraordinary.