Happy New Year! What better way to start the year than with a celebration of first cycle gulls? If you have been avoiding learning gulls, then make this the year you start. (It’s really not that tough. Imagine trying to get a warbler to stand this still while you study the finer details. ) All three species pictured below were photographed in Oregon in autumn. None of them are weird hybrids or odd in other ways, unless you catch something I missed. Enjoy.
#1
#2
#3
Ethical Birder 
Well, evidentally I am not the only one who finds this daunting. I gave it a really good try and got my field guides out and still couldn’t tell. I need some educatin’!
Hey John,
Yes, I have avoided gulls, especially juveniles. But I had to give it a shot. Here’s what I think.
1. Glaucous-winged Gull
2. California Gull
3. Herring Gull
Gosh, I feel so lame even trying….what IS it about gulls?!?!