Description of Bonaparte's Gull

Description

BREEDING MALE

The Bonaparte’s Gull is a small, tern-like gull with reddish legs, white underparts, a black head, a thin, pointed, black bill, and narrow wings with black-tipped, white primaries.

bonapartes gull

Female

Sexes similar.

Seasonal change in appearance

Winter adults have a mostly white head with a black "ear" spot, and pinkish legs.

bonapartes gull

Juvenile

Immatures resemble winter adults but have browner upperparts.

Habitat

Bonaparte’s Gulls inhabit lakes, bogs, rivers, and lagoons.

Diet

Bonaparte’s Gulls primarily eat insects, fish, and crustaceans.

Behavior

Bonaparte’s Gulls forage by plunging into the water from the air, by picking up surface food from the ground or while swimming, or by catching insects in mid-air.

Range

Bonaparte’s Gulls breed from Alaska south to southern Canada, and winter in the Great Lakes, Pacific and Atlantic Coasts, and south-central U.S., as well as points south. The population is probably stable.

More information:

Bent Life History

Visit the Bent Life History for extensive additional information on the Bonaparte's Gull.

Fun Facts

The Bonaparte's Gull is the smallest widely distributed gull in North America.

Unlike many other gulls, Bonaparte's Gulls generally do not forage in landfills, though they do visit sewage ponds for the abundant insects.

Vocalizations

The typical call is a rough "grrr."

Similar Species

Black-headed Gulls (rare in the U.S.) are larger and have mostly dark inner primaries.

Franklin's Gull
Franklin’s Gulls have thicker, less pointed red bills.

Nesting

The Bonaparte's Gull's nest is a platform of sticks lined with moss and grass and placed in a coniferous tree.

Eggs

Number: Usually 3.
Color: Olive or buffy with darker markings.

Incubation and fledging:
The young hatch at about 24 days, but their development is not well known.