Stanley Park Ecology Society - Programs- Urban Wildlife

Species

Ooooo Aaahhh

Even at two years of age, ring-billed gulls were shown to have inclinations toward magnetic bearings that take them to their migration areas
Most ring-billed gulls return to the breeding area where they hatched year after year and often breed with the same mate
The typical call sounds like "ooowww" followed by "a-a-a-a-a-a-a"
Ring-billed gulls are often found foraging on agricultural land or "hanging out" in restaurants, parking lots, and city parks

Some distinctive traits of the ring-billed gull include a yellow bill with a black ring near the tip, white head and underparts with a light grey back, black wingtips, and yellow legs

The ring-billed gull is amazing at adapting to any coastal environment

The ring-billed gull is amazing at adapting to any coastal environment and will live on natural or man-made islands, breakwaters, piers, or waste grounds
They will build their nests on virtually anything from sand and soil to concrete and boulders or even driftwood and rubble, anywhere near food and water

The ring-billed gull’s diet is quite extensive and variable. They will switch types of food depending on the season
They will usually feed on smelt, earthworms during the rainy season, insect larvae and mice during agricultural season, and will feed on road kill, flying insects, and other young birds at other times of the year

At ease men! Attack on 3!

In the 1800’s this bird was often hunted for the millinery trade (women’s hats) and the species was almost completely destroyed
Now they are common and widespread; their population has increased substantially
These birds are known as somewhat of pests along the coastal areas and especially for grouping together in parking lots