In Ohio, bird enthusiasts are in for a treat with the diverse and fascinating world of gulls and terns. With 10 distinct types of these birds gracing the skies, there’s plenty to learn and discover. Gulls, a remarkable family of birds, offer a diverse range of habitats, color patterns, and beak shapes. Close relatives, terns, share similarities but differ in appearance, boasting straight beaks and webbed feet. This article serves as a guide to help identify gulls based on their age, focusing on the plumage of adult birds. Get ready to explore the captivating world of Ohio’s 10 common gulls and terns, including the Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Ring-Billed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Laughing Gull, Bonaparte’s Gull, Black Tern, Common Tern, Forster’s Tern, and Caspian Tern. Each species is described with their unique identifying characteristics, habitats, and behaviors, providing an enriching experience for bird enthusiasts in Ohio.
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Identifying characteristics
The Lesser Black-backed Gull is a medium-sized gull with a dark gray back and wings. Its head and neck are pale gray and its underparts are white. It has yellow legs, a yellow bill with a red spot, and a pale eye. Adult birds have a dark gray mantle and black wingtips with white spots. In non-breeding plumage, its head and neck become streaked with gray.
Habitat
The Lesser Black-backed Gull is a coastal bird that is also found in inland areas. It can be seen along the Atlantic coastline, as well as on lakes, rivers, and reservoirs. It prefers open habitats such as beaches, estuaries, and marshes.
Behavior
Lesser Black-backed Gulls are highly adaptable and opportunistic feeders. They are scavengers and will eat carrion, garbage, and fish. They will also steal food from other birds and may even hunt small mammals. During breeding season, they form colonies on coastal islands and build nests on the ground or on cliff edges. They lay 2-3 eggs and both parents take turns incubating the eggs and feeding the chicks.
Herring Gull
Identifying characteristics
The Herring Gull is one of the most common gull species in North America. It is a large bird with a white head, neck, and underparts. Its back and wings are pale gray and it has pink legs and a yellow bill with a red spot. Adult birds have a pale gray mantle and black wingtips with white spots. Juvenile Herring Gulls have mottled brown feathers.
Habitat
Herring Gulls can be found along the coasts of North America, as well as on inland lakes and rivers. They are highly adaptable and can be seen in a variety of habitats, from beaches and rocky shores to fields and parking lots.
Behavior
Herring Gulls are opportunistic feeders and will eat a wide variety of food, including fish, carrion, insects, and garbage. They are known for their loud, raucous calls, especially during breeding season. They nest in colonies on cliff ledges or on the ground, and both parents take turns incubating the eggs and caring for the chicks.
Ring-Billed Gull
Identifying characteristics
The Ring-Billed Gull is a medium-sized gull with a white head, neck, and underparts. Its back and wings are pale gray, and it has yellow legs and a yellow bill with a distinct black ring near the tip. Adult birds have a pale gray mantle and black wingtips with white spots. Juvenile Ring-Billed Gulls have mottled brown feathers and a dark bill.
Habitat
Ring-Billed Gulls can be found throughout North America, from coastal areas to inland lakes and rivers. They are often seen in urban and suburban areas, as well as at landfills and agricultural fields.
Behavior
Ring-Billed Gulls are opportunistic feeders and will eat a variety of food, including fish, insects, and garbage. They are known for their distinctive “kettle” flight pattern, where large groups of birds circle in the air. During breeding season, they nest in colonies on the ground or on rocky ledges, and both parents take turns incubating the eggs and feeding the chicks.
Great Black-backed Gull
Identifying characteristics
The Great Black-backed Gull is the largest gull in North America. It has a white head, neck, and underparts, with a black back and wings. Its bill and legs are yellow. Adult birds have a black mantle and black wingtips with white spots. Juvenile Great Black-backed Gulls have mottled brown feathers.
Habitat
Great Black-backed Gulls are found along the coasts of North America, as well as on inland lakes and rivers. They prefer rocky shores and offshore islands for nesting, and can also be seen in urban areas and at landfills.
Behavior
Great Black-backed Gulls are fierce predators and will feed on a wide range of prey, including fish, birds, and even small mammals. They have been known to steal food from other birds, including other gulls. During breeding season, they build nests on the ground or on cliff ledges, and both parents take turns incubating the eggs and caring for the chicks.
Laughing Gull
Identifying characteristics
The Laughing Gull is a medium-sized gull with a black head, neck, and underparts. Its back and wings are pale gray, and it has dark gray legs and a red bill. Adult birds have a dark gray mantle and black wingtips with white spots. Juvenile Laughing Gulls have mottled brown feathers.
Habitat
Laughing Gulls can be found along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of North America, as well as on inland lakes and rivers. They prefer coastal habitats, such as beaches, salt marshes, and estuaries.
Behavior
Laughing Gulls are social birds and are often seen in large flocks. They are opportunistic feeders and will eat a variety of food, including fish, insects, and garbage. They are known for their distinctive laughing-like call, which gives them their name. During breeding season, they nest in colonies on coastal islands or in salt marshes, and both parents take turns incubating the eggs and feeding the chicks.
Bonaparte’s Gull
Identifying characteristics
Bonaparte’s Gull is a small gull with a dark gray back and wings. It has a white head and underparts, with a black hood and a small, thin bill. Adult birds have a pale gray mantle and black wingtips. Juvenile Bonaparte’s Gulls have mottled gray and brown feathers and lack the black hood.
Habitat
Bonaparte’s Gulls breed in the boreal forests of Canada and Alaska, and can be found across North America during migration. They prefer freshwater habitats, such as lakes, rivers, and reservoirs.
Behavior
Bonaparte’s Gulls are agile flyers and are often seen hovering over the water as they search for prey. They eat a variety of food, including insects, fish, and crustaceans. During breeding season, they nest in trees near lakes or rivers, and both parents take turns incubating the eggs and caring for the chicks.
Black Tern
Identifying characteristics
The Black Tern is a small tern with a black head, neck, and underparts. Its back and wings are pale gray, and it has dark gray legs and a short, thin bill. In breeding plumage, adult birds have a black cap on their head. In non-breeding plumage, the black cap and black belly are replaced with gray.
Habitat
Black Terns breed in marshes and wetlands across North America, and can also be found on lakes, rivers, and coastal areas during migration. They prefer open water habitats with floating vegetation.
Behavior
Black Terns are graceful flyers and are often seen hovering over the water as they search for fish and insects. They can plunge-dive into the water to catch their prey. During breeding season, they build nests on floating vegetation, and both parents take turns incubating the eggs and feeding the chicks.
Common Tern
Identifying characteristics
The Common Tern is a medium-sized tern with a black cap on its head. Its back and wings are pale gray, and it has a white neck, underparts, and tail. It has orange legs and a long, thin bill. Juvenile Common Terns have mottled gray and white feathers and lack the black cap.
Habitat
Common Terns breed in coastal areas and on islands across North America, and can also be found on inland lakes and rivers. They prefer open habitats, such as beaches, sandbars, and salt marshes.
Behavior
Common Terns are agile flyers and are known for their graceful swooping flights and aerial acrobatics. They eat a variety of food, including fish and insects. During breeding season, they build nests on the ground or on sandy beaches, and both parents take turns incubating the eggs and caring for the chicks.
Forster’s Tern
Identifying characteristics
Forster’s Tern is a medium-sized tern with a white head, neck, and underparts. Its back and wings are pale gray, and it has a black cap on its head. It has orange legs and a long, slender bill. In non-breeding plumage, the black cap is replaced with gray.
Habitat
Forster’s Terns breed in freshwater wetlands across North America, and can also be found on lakes, rivers, and coastal areas during migration. They prefer open water habitats with emergent vegetation.
Behavior
Forster’s Terns are agile flyers and are often seen hovering over the water as they search for fish and insects. They can plunge-dive into the water to catch their prey. During breeding season, they build nests on floating vegetation or on the ground, and both parents take turns incubating the eggs and feeding the chicks.
Caspian Tern
Identifying characteristics
The Caspian Tern is a large tern with a black cap on its head. Its back and wings are pale gray, and it has a white neck, underparts, and tail. It has red legs and a large, thick bill. Juvenile Caspian Terns have mottled brown and white feathers and lack the black cap.
Habitat
Caspian Terns breed on sandy beaches and in coastal areas across North America, and can also be found on inland lakes and rivers. They prefer open habitats, such as barrier islands, sandbars, and salt marshes.
Behavior
Caspian Terns are powerful divers and are capable of catching large fish. They have a distinctive loud, rattling call. During breeding season, they build nests on the ground or on sandy beaches, and both parents take turns incubating the eggs and caring for the chicks.
In conclusion, the 10 common gulls and terns found in Ohio have unique identifying characteristics, habitats, and behaviors. By understanding these features, birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts can easily distinguish between species and appreciate the diverse birdlife in the area. Whether it’s the medium-sized gulls like the Herring Gull and Ring-Billed Gull, or the larger species like the Great Black-backed Gull and Caspian Tern, each bird plays a vital role in the ecosystem and contributes to the beauty of Ohio’s natural landscapes. So grab your binoculars, head outdoors, and enjoy the fascinating world of gulls and terns!