Bonaparte’s Gull - Sierra Club BC
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Bonaparte’s Gull

CAN BE FOUND IN:

Bonaparte's Gull

Larus philadelphia 

Appearance

These gulls are quite small, measuring only 11 inches long with a wing span of 32 inches. They are different from other gulls because they have a black head and a completely black bill. In the winter their head is white with only a small patch of black behind their eyes. 

Range & Habitat

Bonaparte’s gulls can be found on the coasts of the Pacific Ocean including B.C., Atlantic Ocean, and the Gulf of Mexico. These gulls live by lakes and streams from Alaska to Quebec, with a large majority of gulls living in Manitoba. 

reciprocal relationships

These birds are important predators of various aquatic life. The major food sources of these water-loving gulls are fish, crustacea, snails and marine worms, but they also make their diets of flying insects in the summertime. They are both ground feeders and flycatchers depending on the season. They dip down to the surface of the water to catch their prey or they dive into the water for food and stroke through the water before gliding to the surface. They play a vital role in the aquatic web of life! 

These gulls nest in large numbers and produce two to three eggs at a time. These gulls are gifted with agility. This agility helps them catch prey that can swim, fly or crawl very quickly. They often nest near rivers and lakes. This means they are at risk of habitat loss due to farming and forestry. Furthermore, they are threatened by chemical pollutants in the water and the fish they eat.  

status

COSEWIC: Not Reported 
CDC: Yellow 

more information

If you belong to a First Nation with a story or piece of information not represented here and you would like to share more about this species, please email us at education@sierraclub.bc.ca.   

photo credit

Canva

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