Bonaparte's Gull

Chroicocephalus philadelphia

© 2025
Share   
0 recent observations

Brief #

Grey upperparts and white underparts; its wingtips are black above and pale below. In breeding plumage, it has a slaty black hood,

Synonyms #

  • Gaviota de Bonaparte (Spanish)
  • Gaivota de Bonaparte (Galician)

Red List Status #

The Bonaparte's Gull is unlikely to become extinct in the near future.
Find out more about IUCN's Red List program here

Description #

There is no difference in plumage or bare part colour between the sexes, though males tend to be heavier than females. Bonaparte's gull is smaller-bodied, smaller-headed, and smaller-billed than the other common hooded gulls. The adult has grey upperparts and white underparts; its wingtips are black above and pale below. In breeding plumage, it has a slaty black hood, which it loses in non-breeding plumage. Its short, thin bill is black, and its legs are orangish-red. First year Bonaparte's gulls have the same plumage in winter and summer, but the summer plumage is paler due to wear.

Measurements #

Length: 28 - 38 cm
Wingspan: 76 - 84 cm
Weight: 180 - 225 g

Similar species #