Ring-billed Gull

This feather belongs to the Ring-billed Gull, a medium-sized gull with a white head and body, gray back, and yellow legs. The species is named for the prominent black ring near the tip of its heavy yellow bill.

Bicolor pattern; the distal (top) half is dark brownish-black/charcoal with a tiny white tip appearing worn; the proximal (bottom) half is clean white. This 'dipped in ink' look is classic for many gulls.

Densely interlocked pennaceous barbs throughout the majority of the vane for flight rigidity; small plumulaceous section at the very base near the calamus.

Smooth, stiff, and glossy; the leading edge is very rigid to withstand high wind pressure during flight.

Sharp contrast between white base and black tip; extreme asymmetry of the vanes; characteristic 'notched' shape of the inner vane near the tip.

Highly adaptable: found near lakes, rivers, coasts, parking lots, landfills, and agricultural fields.

Widespread across North America; breeds in Canada and northern US, winters south to the Gulf Coast and Mexico.

Generalist predator and scavenger; helps clean up carrion and waste, but can also impact smaller shorebird populations through nest predation.

California Gull (larger, similar pattern but longer feather), Herring Gull (much larger), or Mew Gull (smaller, different black/white ratio).

Despite being called 'sea gulls,' many Ring-billed Gulls live their entire lives far inland near freshwater or urban centers. They are master scavengers.

Good to Fair condition. The tip shows some 'feather wear' or abrasion common in gulls that forage on the ground; the barbs are mostly intact.