The second part is a demonstration by birding expert Gene Hunn of how to identify a Thayer's gull through a step-by-step elimination of similar species.
The third part consists of links to photos of most of the 13 gull species.
The fourth part is a link to three pages of Dennis Paulson's gull guide on the Slater Museum of Natural History's web site. I discovered his chart of chartacteristics after I had already done mine. Pride of authorship forced me to keep mine anyway and present it first here, but Dennis' is the authoritative one.
It is hoped that these various offerings will help you learn to identify gulls. Even so, it may take you months or even years of watching gulls to identify easily and infallibly all of the gulls that you see. The important thing is to get started. And keep looking at those gulls! It's the best way to learn.
Northwest gulls sorted by length, from smallest to largest
Northwest gulls sorted by leg color
Northwest gulls sorted by mantle color (Note: the mantle is the back of the gull)
Northwest gulls sorted by bill color
Complete chart with all features for 13 Northwest species
How to identify a Thayer's Gull by Gene Hunn
All photos are of breeding adults unless otherwise noted
Bonaparte's gull Here is another picture of a Bonaparte's
California gull (winter adult) Another winter adult: California Gull (winter)
Glaucous-winged X Western hybrid gull
Heermann's Gull For a second view, go to this Heermann's Gull
Mew gull Try this second version
Slaty-backed gull (winter adult) Or, here is a second view of a winter adult Slaty-backed gull
Thayer's gull or another view of a Thayer's gull
