Mew Gull south of Adam Beck Lookout

It was on the roosting rocks on the American side of the River, but it flew several times onto the Canadian side. First spotted by Betsy Potter about 12:15 p.m. on 1 January 2010. This is the North American subspecies Larus canus brachyrhynchus. See links to photos of Common Gull Larus canus canus at bottom of page.

Adult Mew Gull in winter (basic) plumage has a slightly darker mantle than Ring-billed and Herring Gulls. It's slightly smaller than Ring-billed Gull and has a very wide tertial crescent compared to Ring-billed. In flight the white trailing edge is wide. 1 January 2010

Its bill is more slender than Ring-billed Gull and it does not have a ring on the bill. It has a dark iris.

Adult Mew Gull south of Adam Beck Lookout on Niagara River in a snow storm on 1 January 2010.

 Four links to photos of Common Gulls