A practical guide to bird watching in Sonoma County, California

(Unless otherwise indicated, all phone numbers are in the 707 area code)

 

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© Colin Talcroft, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012

Unless noted, all photos by the author. If you would like to use one of my images, please ask for permission for non-commercial use with proper credit or commercial use with proper compensation.

ctalcroft@yahoo.com

A comparison of adult gull heads

California Gull, winter (non-breeding) plumage

Lake Ralphine, December 26, 2011

Mew Gull, winter (non-breeding) plumage

Lake Ralphine, Santa Rosa, December 4, 2011

Ring-billed Gull, winter (non-breeding) plumage Spring Lake, Santa Rosa, December 17, 2009

Western Gull, breeding plumage

Duncan's Landing, Bodega Bay, February 26, 2011

A look at the adult head plumages of our most common gull species in winter (non-breeding) and breeding plumages.

California Gull, breeding plumage

Lake Ralphine, March 23, 2012

Ring-billed Gull, breeding plumage

Lake Ralphine, Santa Rosa, March 12, 2012

Mew Gull, breeding plumage

Not normally seen in Sonoma County

Western Gull, winter (non-breeding) plumage

Porto Bodega, Bodega Bay, December 13, 2011

Heermann's Gull, winter (non-breeding) plumage Porto Bodega, Bodega Bay, October 21, 2010

Heermann's Gull, breeding plumage

Monterey (Monterey County), December 30, 2011

Note clear white head, scarlet orbital ring,

clearly defined black bill tip. Rarely seen in Sonoma County

Herring Gull, winter (non-breeding) plumage Lucchesi Park, Petaluma, December 12, 2011

Herring Gull, breeding plumage

Not normally seen in Sonoma County

Glaucous-winged Gull, winter (non-breeding) plumage Roberts Park, Rohnert Park, December 12, 2011

Glaucous-winged Gull, breeding plumage

Not normally seen in Sonoma County

Thayer's Gull, winter (non-breeding) plumage

Roberts Lake, Rohnert Park, February 11, 2012

Thayer's Gull, breeding plumage

Not normally seen in Sonoma County

Non-breeding

Breeding

California Gull

California Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Heermann’s Gull

Heermann’s Gull

Herring Gull

Herring Gull

Thayer’s Gull

Thayer’s Gull

Ring-billed Gull

Ring-billed Gull

Mew Gull

Mew Gull

Western Gull

Western Gull