Hummingbirds Plus - Feeding, News, Study Group & More

From the cacophonous shrieks of flocks swirling above inland lakes to the lonely cry of a solitary gull patrolling the shore, these often overlooked birds are an integral part of Tennessee's ecosystems and capture the imagination of nature lovers statewide. This guide explores 8 of the most iconic and identifiable gull species found gracing Tennessee's skies throughout the year. From the diminutive and graceful Bonaparte's gull to the mighty Caspian tern with its imposing coral red bill, each species has evolved its own behaviors and physical features to thrive. Read on to learn how to identify these masters of flight and gain insight into their incredible migratory journeys that bring them to Tennessee's welcoming wetlands and waterways every year. Gull Species Size Key Identifying Features Ring-billed Gull Medium Black ring around yellow bill, yellow eyes, gray and white body Herring Gull Large Pink legs, yellow eyes, gray and white body, reddish spot on bill Laughing Gull Medium Black head, red beak, black legs, gray and white body Bonaparte's Gull Small Black head, red legs, thin needle-like bill, white underside, gray wings Great Black-backed Gull Very large Pink legs, black back and wings, yellow bill with red spot Caspian Tern Very large Massive red bill, black head, grayish body, black legs Lesser Black-backed Gull Medium Yellow legs, black back and wings, yellow bill with red spot Mew Gull Small Greenish-yellow bill with red spot, greenish legs, gray wings and back 1. Ring-billed Gull The ring-billed gull (Larus delawarensis) is a medium-sized gull that is very common in Tennessee. With a wingspan of around 50 inches, it is distinguishable by the black ring around its bill. The head of the adult ring-billed gull is white during the breeding season, with a yellow eye ring. The body is gray above and white below. The legs are greenish-yellow. Ring-billed gulls breed in colonies near water across Tennessee. They make a nest of grasses and sticks on the ground in an open area and lay a clutch of around 3 eggs. The parents take turns incubating the eggs for around 4 weeks before the chicks hatch. Both parents feed the chicks small fish, insects, and rodents. After around 5 weeks, the juveniles are ready to leave the nest and learn to fly and hunt on their own. Ring-billed gulls are opportunistic feeders and will eat almost anything they can get their bills on. Fish make up a good portion of their diet, but they also eat worms, insects, small mammals, eggs from other bird nests, grain, scraps from trash, and more. They often forage in large groups in open fields, parking lots, near lakes and rivers, and along the coast. During winter, many ring-billed gulls migrate south but some remain in Tennessee year-round. They roost together in large flocks at night near water. While they may seem common and nondescript to many people, the ring-billed gull is a supremely adaptable bird that thrives living near humans. 2. Herring Gull With its large size, hearty constitution, and bold nature, the herring gull (Larus argentatus) is one of the most recognizable and widespread gulls in Tennessee. Adults have white heads and bodies with gray wings and black wingtips. Their pink legs and yellow eyes with red rings around them are also distinguishing features. With a wingspan approaching 60 inches, herring gulls are one of the larger gulls seen in the state. Herring gulls live year-round along the Tennessee coastline, around inland lakes and rivers, and in cities. They build large nests on the ground out of whatever materials they can find such as grasses, seaweed, and garbage. The female typically lays 3 eggs which both parents help incubate for around 4 weeks. Herring gull chicks grow quickly, reaching the size of their parents in about two months. These large gulls are omnivores and eat a wide variety of foods. Fish, shellfish, rodents, eggs, insects, seeds, berries, garbage, and carrion are all foods they regularly consume. With their vocal repertoires and tendency to form large flocks, herring gulls are a conspicuous presence along Tennessee's shorelines. Outside of breeding season, they roam widely in search of the most abundant food sources. Some key facts about the herring gull - it has a loud, laughing call; it often steals food from other birds and animals; and its population expanded greatly in the 20th century due to its ability to thrive around humans. Once threatened, herring gulls today are numerous throughout Tennessee. 3. Laughing Gull The laughing gull (Leucophaeus atricilla) is a medium-sized coastal gull named for its distinctive loud, laughing call. It is a summer visitor to Tennessee, breeding along the Gulf Coast and near major inland reservoirs before migrating back to the tropics for winter. Adult laughing gulls have a black head, white body and tail, and gray wings and back. Their black legs and small black beak help identify them. In breeding season, the head of adults has a reddish-brown hood, darker around the eye. Immature gulls have a blotchy black and brown pattern all over. These gulls nest in large but loose colonies called gulleries in Tennessee, laying 2-4 eggs in nests on the ground or in marshy vegetation. Parents share incubation duties for around 3 weeks before the precocial chicks hatch, able to walk and swim right away. Chicks fledge in 4-5 weeks. Laughing gulls feed on insects, fish, marine invertebrates, eggs, and other small prey. They forage mostly in shallow waters and wetlands, capture food by surface plunging and dipping. They also feed on terrestrial insects when breeding inland. Some laughing gulls scavenge at landfills and fishing docks as well. Overall, the laughing gull remains a fairly common species along Tennessee's major rivers and reservoirs despite declines in other parts of its range. Its piercing calls and social, flocking behavior make it a fun gull to observe. 4. Bonaparte's Gull Bonaparte's gull (Chroicocephalus philadelphia) is a small, tern-like gull that migrates through Tennessee each spring and fall as it travels between its arctic breeding grounds and wintering habitat along the Gulf Coast and Florida. It gets its name from Charles Lucien Bonaparte, a 19th century American ornithologist. In breeding plumage, adults have a black hood and white undersides. Their gray back and wings are accented by a white tip on the outer primary feathers. The thin, needle-like bill and red legs are other distinctive identifiers. They are quite small compared to other gulls, with only a 34 inch wingspan. During migration, Bonaparte's gulls can be seen in large flocks across the state as they stop to rest and refuel on inland lakes, rivers, and flooded fields. They feed on small fish, aquatic insects, worms, and other invertebrates caught by dipping, diving, and surface seizing. They also hawk flying insects in the air. While not breeding in Tennessee, Bonaparte's gulls pass through in impressive numbers during spring and fall migrations. Birdwatchers flock to bodies of water across the state during these times hoping to catch sight of their aerobatic, communal feeding behaviors. Though delicate in appearance, these little gulls are powerful, agile fliers. 5. Great Black-backed Gull Distinguished by its large size and black-colored back and wings, the great black-backed gull (Larus marinus) is an uncommon but regular winter visitor along Tennessee's coasts and at inland reservoirs. They breed as far south as Maine before migrating down the Atlantic coast and inland over winter. With a wingspan approaching 5 feet, the great black-backed gull is the largest gull in the world. In addition to its dark back and wings, adults have white underparts, pink legs, and a yellow bill with a red spot. The head is white in adults and mottled brown in juveniles and immatures. These massive gulls are opportunistic feeders, eating virtually anything they can swallow. Fish, smaller birds, eggs, invertebrates, carrion, garbage, and more are all on the menu. They often harass smaller gull species to steal their catch. Great black-backed gulls nest on offshore islands, rocky coastlines, and secluded marshes from April to July. The female lays 1-3 eggs that both parents help incubate for around 4 weeks until hatching. Chicks fledge at 7-9 weeks old. While a rare sight far inland, great black-backed gulls can be found along Tennessee's major rivers and lakes during winter as they migrate down the Atlantic coast. Any sighting of this colossal predator is sure to impress local birders. 6. Caspian Tern Though classified as a tern, the Caspian tern (Hydroprogne caspia) is by far the largest of the tern family and rivals many small gulls in size. In Tennessee, it is most often seen migrating through and wintering along the state's lakes and rivers. One of the key field marks of the Caspian tern is its massive coral red bill, which allows it to feed on larger fish than most terns can handle. Adults also have a black head and wings with pale gray undersides, black legs, and a short forked tail. Their wingspan reaches upwards of 5 feet. Caspian terns nest in small colonies on sandy islands and peninsulas along the coasts and Great Lakes region, migrating south after breeding. In Tennessee, they roost and feed communally on large inland bodies of water. These expert hunters mainly eat small fish captured by diving from great heights. The large size, noisy nature, and spectacular diving ability of Caspian terns make them a delight to observe. They often attract the attention of birders when resting and feeding among flocks of more typical smaller gull species in Tennessee. With global populations remaining stable, sightings of Caspian terns continue to be regular but uncommon in migration and winter. 7. Lesser Black-backed Gull Similar to the larger great black-backed gull, the lesser black-backed gull (Larus fuscus) is an uncommon winter visitor along Tennessee's coasts, rivers, and lakes. As its name suggests, adults have black feathers on their back and wings contrasting with white undersides. They also have yellow legs and a yellow bill with red spot. Lesser black-backed gulls breed across northern Europe and Iceland before migrating down Atlantic coasts for winter. They frequently associate with herring and great black-backed gulls in Tennessee and have similar omnivorous diets, feeding on fish, invertebrates, eggs, small mammals, and more. These mid-sized gulls reach lengths of around 25 inches and weigh just over 2 pounds. Their wingspans stretch 3.5-4 feet wide. While their populations face threats in Europe, lesser black-backed gulls remain numerous enough to be regular migrants through Tennessee during the non-breeding season. Any sighting of a lone black-backed gull in Tennessee during winter will surely generate interest from the birding community as they try to discern whether it is a lesser or great black-backed gull. Both stand out among the more common herring, ring-billed, and laughing gull species. 8. Mew Gull The mew gull (Larus canus) is a small-sized gull that breeds across northern North America and winters as far south the Tennessee coasts and inland lakes. Its name is derived from its distinct call which sounds like a high-pitched "mew". Adults have white heads, undersides, and tail feathers with gray wings and back. The bill is greenish-yellow with red spot and legs are greenish. In Tennessee, mew gulls are most likely to be found from November to April. They associate with flocks of ring-billed gulls, Bonaparte's gulls, and herring gulls while feeding and roosting. Mew gulls are omnivorous and eat small fish, marine invertebrates, insects, grains, and berries. During migration and winter, they often feed in wet fields and intertidal areas. While a relatively small gull species, the mew gull is a strong flier and graceful in the air. Their agility allows them to feed on flying insects as well as shallow water prey. A high-arctic breeder, the mew gull undertakes lengthy migrations across North America each year. Tennessee represents the southern edge of its winter range. That concludes this overview of 8 common gull species that bird enthusiasts may encounter in Tennessee throughout the year. The state's rivers, lakes, wetlands and coasts provide ample habitat for these adaptable, migratory birds that flock here each winter.

Hummingbird Feeders

Hummingbird Species

Hummingbird Gifts

Recent Posts