A practical guide to bird watching in Sonoma County, California
(Unless otherwise indicated, all phone numbers are in the 707 area code)
© 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.
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
