Ring-billed Gull

This Ring-billed gull (larus delawarensis) was photographed at Assateague Island National Seashore October 24, 2009. They are very common and even occasionally seen in my home state of West Virginia. For me they are the easiest of gulls to identify because in their adult stage (three years old) the ring around the bill is clear and distinct. They also have yellow eyes with red on the outer rim. However, when they are immature I must admit that they are easily confused with other gulls. While we were eating lunch a couple of them circled around over head looking to for a bite to eat. In a way they are the garbage collectors for the beach and offer a good service. Like Humming Birds they return to the same breeding and wintering sites each year. Even though they are common I enjoy seeing them fly overhead and wade along the shore.

See more at Watery Wednesday.