Iceland Gulls can be tricky to identify, even for experienced birders. However, with some practice and by looking for key identification features, you can reliably tell an Iceland Gull apart from other similar gull species. In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know to confidently identify Iceland Gulls.
What is an Iceland Gull?
The Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides) is a medium-sized gull species that breeds in Greenland, Iceland, and northeastern Canada. It spends the winter along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of North America. There are two subspecies – L. g. glaucoides breeds in Greenland and winters further north, while L. g. kumlieni breeds in Iceland and northern Canada and winters further south. Iceland Gulls are migratory and travel great distances between their breeding and wintering grounds.
Some key identification features of Iceland Gulls include:
- Medium-sized gull with long wings and short legs
- Pink legs
- White head and underparts
- Pale gray back and wings
- Yellow, reddish or flesh-colored bill with black tip
- Brown streaking on head and neck in winter
- Dark eyes
While they may seem rather plain, Iceland Gulls can be identified and distinguished from other gulls by paying attention to a combination of size, plumage details, bare part colors, wingtip patterns, and behavior.
How to Identify Iceland Gulls
Let’s break down step-by-step how to identify Iceland Gulls.
1. Consider the Size
The first step is to look at the bird’s overall size. Iceland Gulls are a medium-sized gull species. They are smaller than the large Herring Gull and Great Black-backed Gull, but larger than the petite Bonaparte’s Gull. They are very similar in size to the Thayer’s Gull. If you have a sense of the bird’s size, it can help narrow down the possible species.
Species | Length | Wingspan |
---|---|---|
Iceland Gull | 20-26 in | 52-60 in |
Herring Gull | 25-28 in | 59-65 in |
Bonaparte’s Gull | 13-15 in | 33-37 in |
2. Look at the Overall Plumage
Once you have a feel for the size, take note of the bird’s overall plumage pattern. Iceland Gulls have pale gray upperparts (back and wings) which contrasts with their bright white head and underparts. The wings do not have any black wingtips. The amount of white on the underside and dark on the upperparts can help rule out or confirm species.
Species | Back and Wings | Head and Underparts |
---|---|---|
Iceland Gull | Pale gray | White |
Herring Gull | Gray | Mostly white with variable gray |
Glaucous Gull | Pale gray | All white |
3. Check the Primary Wingtip Pattern
Pay close attention to the bird’s primary wingtips – these are the outermost flight feathers at the end of the wing. Iceland Gulls have white wingtips without any black spots or markings. Compare this to the black wingtips of Herring Gulls and white wingtips with black spots on Glaucous Gulls. The amount of black versus white can be a helpful identification clue.
Species | Wingtip Pattern |
---|---|
Iceland Gull | All white |
Herring Gull | Black wingtips |
Glaucous Gull | White with black spots |
4. Note the Bill Color
The bill color of an Iceland Gull can vary from yellowish to pinkish to flesh-toned, but it always has a distinct black tip. This is different from the all yellow bill of a Herring Gull or the bright orange bill with red spot of a Thayer’s Gull. Checking the exact bill color and pattern can confirm the identification.
Species | Bill Color |
---|---|
Iceland Gull | Yellow, flesh-toned with black tip |
Herring Gull | All yellow |
Thayer’s Gull | Orange and red with black tip |
5. Check Legs and Eyes
Finally, note the leg and eye color of the gull. Iceland Gulls have pink legs and dark brown or black eyes. Pinkish legs help distinguish them from the yellow-legged Herring Gull. The dark eye color separates them from the pale-eyed Kumlien’s Gull. Paying attention to leg and eye color provides additional confirmation of identification.
Species | Legs | Eyes |
---|---|---|
Iceland Gull | Pink | Dark brown or black |
Herring Gull | Yellow | Brown, black, yellow, or pale |
Kumlien’s Gull | Pink and yellow | Pale yellow |
Plumage Variations
An important note when identifying Iceland Gulls is that their plumage varies significantly by age and season. The amount of streaking and color intensity can change over the course of a year and as a bird molts and ages. Here is a quick overview of how plumage differs among ages and seasons:
- Juvenile (1st winter) – Heavily streaked brown plumage overall. Brownish black bill.
- 1st year (2nd winter) – Less streaked with more gray on wings. Black billtip emerges.
- 2nd year (3rd winter) – Very pale gray back. Pink legs appear. More white on head.
- Subadult – Almost entirely white head and underparts. Bill pale pink and yellow.
- Adult (breeding) – Clean white head, neck, and underparts. Gray upperparts. Legs pink. Clean yellow or flesh-toned bill with black tip.
- Adult (nonbreeding) – White head streaked with gray. Bill duller with dark marks.
The amount of streaking and mottling also varies between the two subspecies. Kumlien’s tends to be more heavily marked than the nominate glaucoides. Keeping plumage variations in mind will help you identify an Iceland Gull accurately regardless of its age or time of year.
Similar Species Comparison
Iceland Gulls overlap in range and appearance with several other medium-sized white-headed gulls, especially in their wintering range. Here is a breakdown of how to separate Iceland Gulls from lookalike species:
Thayer’s Gull
- Thayer’s has darker gray upperparts
- Orange bill with red spot
- More extensive black wingtips
- Pink legs do not extend as far up the tibia
- Eyes can appear paler yellow
Kumlien’s Gull
- Kumlien’s has more mottling and streaking on head
- Legs can be a mix of pink and yellow
- Eyes are pale yellowish
- Wingtips can show faint dark markings
Glaucous Gull
- Glaucous is larger with a heavier bill
- Glaucous has all white wingtips
- Legs and eyes darker than Kumlien’s
- No streaking on head
Herring Gull
- Herring is larger with a heavier bill
- Yellow legs
- Distinctive black wingtips
- Pink orbits can appear in winter
There are some other potential lookalike gull species, but comparing size, plumage colors and patterns, bare parts, and structure will help distinguish Iceland Gulls from all other similar gulls with practice.
Behaviors and Habitats
In additional to visual identification, behavior and habitat preferences can provide secondary clues to confirm you are looking at an Iceland Gull:
- Coastal beaches, harbors, fishing ports
- Often found alone or in loose flocks, less social than some gulls
- Will readily feed on fish, refuse, and carrion
- Elegant and agile flight, less lumbering than large gulls
- Warily keeps distance from humans
- Often roosts on the water
Seeing a medium-sized, pale-mantled gull exhibiting these behaviors in an appropriate coastal environment can give you more confidence in an Iceland Gull identification.
Conclusion
Identifying Iceland Gulls takes practice and an eye for subtle details of plumage, bare parts, structure, and behavior. By understanding the key identification features, variations, and lookalike species, birders of all experience levels can master Iceland Gull identification. The next time you spot a medium-sized gull with pink legs, pale gray back, and a flesh-toned bill with black tip, take a second look – it just might be an Iceland Gull!